Question No 14.Read the following passage and answer the question that follows."The Diabetes Epidemic in Urban India" headlines a report recently released by the Ministry of Health. The report draws attention to a worrying trend: a 30% increase in the number of diagnosed diabetes cases in urban areas compared to the previous year. Experts within the report point to a significant shift in dietary habits as a primary culprit, with an increased consumption of fast food and sugary drinks being particularly highlighted. This dietary change, coupled with a sedentary lifestyle common in urban settings, is seen as a key factor driving the rise in diabetes prevalence among the urban population. The report's findings have sparked concerns about a growing health crisis, suggesting that the modern urban lifestyle is increasingly becoming a health hazard.Which one of the following, if true, MOST seriously weakens the argument?A)  Urban residents have shown a growing preference for fast food and high-calorie diets, which are known risk factors for developing diabetes.B)  The majority of new diabetes cases are being reported in individuals aged between 40 and 60 years, a demographic that constitutes a large portion of the urban population.C)  There has been a significant increase in health awareness campaigns, leading to more people in urban areas getting screened and diagnosed for diabetes.D)  Many urban centres have launched initiatives to encourage healthier living, including diet modification and exercise programs, to combat the rise in diabetes.E)  Genetic research indicates that a small proportion of individuals are predisposed to diabetes, accounting for a significant number of the new cases in urban areas.

The question asks for the option that weakens the argument presented in the passage. Let's analyze each option:

A) This option actually supports the argument by stating that urban residents have a preference for fast food and high-calorie diets, which are known risk factors for developing diabetes. Therefore, this option does not weaken the argument.

B) This option does not weaken the argument either. It states that the majority of new diabetes cases are reported in individuals aged between 40 and 60 years, which is a demographic that constitutes a large portion of the urban population. This information aligns with the argument that there is a rise in diabetes prevalence among the urban population.

C) This option weakens the argument. It states that there has been a significant increase in health awareness campaigns, leading to more people in urban areas getting screened and diagnosed for diabetes. This suggests that the increase in diagnosed cases may be due to improved detection rather than solely an increase in the actual prevalence of diabetes.

D) This option weakens the argument as well. It mentions that many urban centers have launched initiatives to encourage healthier living, including diet modification and exercise programs, to combat the rise in diabetes. This indicates that efforts are being made to address the issue, which may help mitigate the rise in diabetes prevalence.

E) This option does not weaken the argument. It states that a small proportion of individuals are predisposed to diabetes due to genetic factors, accounting for a significant number of the new cases in urban areas. This information does not contradict the argument that there is a rise in diabetes prevalence among the urban population.

Based on the analysis, options C and D weaken the argument. However, option D provides a more direct counter to the argument by highlighting the initiatives taken to combat the rise in diabetes. Therefore, option D is the correct answer as it most seriously weakens the argument.