The lack of knowledge about diet contributes more significantly to the obesity epidemic in America than the lack of exercise. While physical activity is an important factor in maintaining a healthy weight, the overwhelming commonness of misinformation on nutrition pushed on us by exploiters who want your money plays a crucial role in the rising rates of obesity.
Background: This article supports the argument that exercise is not the solution to extreme or healthy weight loss. It debunks the myth of exercising to burn calories and not care about what you are necessarily consuming.
How I Used it: I used this article to debunk the idea that exercise is used as a way to counteract food intake. Many people believe that engaging in physical activity primarily serves to burn off the calories consumed through meals, promoting a cycle of guilt and compensation. However, I propose a different perspective that instead of viewing exercise solely as a means of weight maintenance or calorie control, it should be embraced as a holistic practice that enhances overall well-being and mental health.
2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/01.atv.0000186208.06964.91
Background: This article titled “Fast Food, Central Nervous System Insulin Resistance, and Obesity” explains the relationship between fast foods and how they affect the human body. The article describes the link between fast food and obesity and how society over the past 30 years has given into the unhealthy lifestyles that are normalized by the food industry now, more than ever.
How I Used it: I used this article to define what insulin resistance is and describe how it works and plays an important role in the issue of obesity. The article provides more factual and statistical evidence that will support my hypothesis.
3. https://www.arianehundt.com/post/what-the-fitness-industry-doesn-t-want-you-to-know
Background: This article titled “What the Fitness Industry Doesn’t Want You to Know”, talks about the skewed belief that exercise is the key to weight loss and that the fix is the eat less and exercise more.
How I Used it: I used this article to show the audience how fitness sources can give harmful advice. Telling people that they need to exercise more and eat less just leaves them miserable, as this process of living will only last so long. It keeps the obese person on a loop, trying more plans, exercise routines, and gyms. When in reality, Americans need to follow a more whole foods diet.
4. https://www.thedailybeast.com/how-the-fitness-industry-gets-rich-doing-nothing/
Background: Titled “How the Fitness Industry Gets Rich Doing Nothing“, this article sheds light on the truth behind gym membership plans, and dietary pills.
How I Used it: This article helped my claim that the gym industry and fitness equipment ads are scams, as they lure obese people looking to lose weight by showing them an easy fix to their problems. Instead of emphasizing a healthier diet, they tell them to buy gym memberships and equipment or dietary pills, which are a fast but temporary fix to the issue. It never truly fixes their problem but instead has them continuously returning and paying more money.
Background: Titled “Diet vs. Exercise for weight loss”, this article supports the hypothesis that diet is more effective than exercise. It explains how both diet and exercise can be used for weight loss success but how it is more effective for a person to make changes in their diet for long-term health.
How I Used it: I used this article to show how both diet and exercise are effective ways of solving the obesity epidemic and living a healthier lifestyle, but that they should be used in different ways. Diet is a long-term way to solve the issue, while exercise should be used for leisure activity, mental health success, or therapy.
6. https://www.webmd.com/obesity/what-obesity-is
Background: Titled “Obesity: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment.” This WebMD article explains obesity as a chronic medical condition where excess body fat negatively impacts health. It’s commonly measured using body mass index (BMI), with a BMI of 30 or higher indicating obesity. Key contributors include genetics, environmental factors, hormonal imbalances, medical conditions, medications, and lifestyle habits like poor diet and lack of exercise.
How I Used it: I used this article in my definition argument to explain what obesity was. I used the information in this article to put together a definition of what is classified as being obese and how body mass index was used to identify obesity in a person.
7. https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/why-people-become-overweight
Background: Titled “Why People Become Overweight.” This article explores the complex factors contributing to weight gain and obesity, highlighting biological, behavioral, and environmental factors. It goes over genetics and metabolism, lifestyle factors, and medical causes for obesity.
How I Used it: I used this article in my Causal Argument. I took the research done by Harvard Health on how genes can affect a person’s appetite, sense of fullness, and metabolic rate, which are key contributors to weight gain issues. I used the information to educate my readers on how and why a person might be more prone to obesity.
8. https://ajcn.nutrition.org/article/S0002-9165(23)66356-7/fulltext
Background: This Article by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition uses real studies comparing two diets taken by individuals with type 2 diabetes. The two diets were a whole-food, plant-based diet and a DASH diet, which is a diet to control hypertension promoted by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services.
How I Used it: I used the data collection in this article in my Causal Argument. To explain the difference between whole foods and what they are, I used the American Journal quote, “Whole foods are rich in fiber, proteins, whole grains, essential nutrients like fruits and vegetables, proteins like eggs, beans, nuts, chicken breast, and fish, and carbohydrates for energy.”
9. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_briefs/RB9140.html
Background: Titled “Weight Loss Surgery Is More Effective Than Diet, and Exercise in Helping Severely Obese People Lose Weight.” This article evaluates the efficacy of bariatric surgery for obese people. The RAND study highlights that bariatric surgery is highly effective for sustained weight loss in severely obese individuals, with patients losing 45–65 pounds and maintaining it for up to 10 years.
How I Used it: I used this article in my Rebuttal Argument as one of the sources I was to refute. This article contradicts my position on obesity, that the lack of knowledge about diet contributes more to the obesity epidemic than anything else. Instead of supporting my hypothesis, this article claims that weight loss surgery, such as Bariatric surgery, is more effective in losing weight. I took the information of how much weight was lost and how long the weight was kept off after having the surgery. I then counter-argued it by explaining how temporary the results were, which supported my hypothesis since it shows that weight loss surgeries aren’t a great solution for long-term health.
Background: Titled “Bariatric Surgery is More Effective and Durable Than New Obesity Drugs and Lifestyle Interventions.” These findings underscore bariatric surgery’s effectiveness and durability in treating severe obesity, surpassing both pharmacological and lifestyle interventions.
How I Used it: Very similar to my previous article, I also used this article in my rebuttal argument. This article shared information on the different medical options offered to obese persons. I came across two methods called GLP-1 receptor and tirzepatide, which are weight loss medications in the form of injections. Just like the Bariatric surgery, the results after taking these routined shots were temporary, only lasting 4 years. I contradicted this method by explaining how miserable and uncomfortable a person would become if they had to take these injections daily for the rest of their lives. Comparing this to just simply eating a healthier diet makes my argument of whole foods being the solution to obesity more convincing and secure.
Background: Titled, “Study: Exercise Is More Critical Than Diet to Maintain Weight Loss.” This study from the University of Colorado Anschutz Health and Wellness Center indicates that physical activity is more crucial than diet in maintaining significant weight loss. Their findings suggested that sustained physical activity played a vital role in preventing weight regain, highlighting the importance of exercise in long-term weight management strategies.
How I Used it: In addition to the two previous articles, I also used this contradicting article in my rebuttal argument. A study done by the University of Colorado Anschutz claimed that physical activity is what prevents weight regain in a person. They came to this conclusion after experimenting, where two individuals, one having a highly active lifestyle and the other having a more sedentary lifestyle, both consuming high amounts of calories daily. I was then able to refute this by explaining how the person would have to continue their physical regimen every day to maintain their physique. This may be fine for some, but others may not like to be that active, which leads me to say that the best option for all is to eat whole foods which are lower in calories and healthier for the human body. People wouldn’t feel obligated to work off their excess energy, but be more satisfied with a natural amount of physical activity.
Counterintuitive Fall 2024 
Done ! 🙂
Wonderfully done, Yardie.
Also, as a side bonus, I now understand certain claims you made much better after reading your descriptions of the sources you cited.
Great, thanks Professor!!