A singular subject connected by or/nor necessitates a singular verb.
The right choice is A. The author supplies data to illustrate the adverse effects of a poor diet.
Clarification:
In this part of the article, the writer emphasizes the detrimental impacts of unhealthy eating, indicating a strong belief in the necessity of a healthy diet and the negative outcomes of not adhering to it. Additionally, the author supports this notion with statistical evidence, evident in phrases like "Over a third of adults in the United States -- 37.5 percent -- are classified as obese" and "childhood obesity rates have tripled in the last three decades" as these quantitative details highlight the harmful outcomes tied to poor dietary choices. Thus, the author's argumentative method incorporates statistics to reveal the damaging effects of unhealthy eating habits.
The correct choice is C: In the 1950s, most women (60 percent) were content to leave school and remain at home. This statistic might surprise contemporary readers who assume gender equality and expect a majority of women to pursue careers outside of the household.
They are simply bystanders.