They did a survey, and they found a strong connection between two seemingly unrelated things. They didn't go out trying to connect these things. They were trying to find out what's connected to what and this is what turned up.
They are now encouraging others to go and find out why there's such a strong connection between these two things.
This is called scientific research and inquiry. It is how we advance our knowledge of things. It is SOP.
Read the article before accusing them of having an agenda.
You can read their research in the American Journal of Epidemiology.
