GMAT Club Olympics 2024 (Day 9): Health Advocate's Argument:

­Close battle between B and E.
lets see.

Based on studies conducted, the argument proposes that requiring restaurants to display calorie counts will help reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years, based on the assumption that people will choose healthier options when calorie information is available.

Potential flaws in this arguments are 2.
1st - Relying heavily on studies data, like how it was conducted are there any potential drawbacks?.
2nd - calorie information alone is sufficient to guide healthier choices overlooking other aspects.
I think 2nd flaw is more stronger than 1st.

lets evaluate options.

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses. - Incorrect. - highlights a potential economic drawback for restaurants but does not attack on studies or emphasis of calorie counts.

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry. - Ok attacking studies by saying their findings may not apply to all types of restaurants. - lets keep on hold.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions. - I would say irrelevant - option highlights practical challenges in implementation, such as accuracy and consistency in calorie counts. - but we are not concerned about what hurdles restaurants will face.

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays. - Again irrelevant. - how affordability is in the question when passage clearly mentions "... Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options...."

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone. - This option directly challenges the assumption that calorie counts alone are sufficient to guide healthier eating choices. It is same as the 2nd flaw that i told right at the beginning. This limitation suggests that the proposed policy might not achieve its intended health outcomes. - I think this is our answer.

Option E is stronger than B because it directly challenges the sufficiency of the proposed measure by introducing the limitation of calorie counts. It suggests that the policy might not lead to the desired reduction in obesity because it fails to account for other important nutritional factors.

I think answer is E.­

2. Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options.

Conclusion- Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts, aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.

Goal - Reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.
Plan- All restaurants should be required to display calorie countsDisplay Calorie counts

Pre-thinking - What if irespective of mentioning calories, Goal is not achieved??

A. Decrease is customer count is not part of goal.
B. Look okay but i will put this on Hold. One more thing this option question our premise hence i will not consider it.
C. Revision is fine as far as they are showing it.
D. Cost is not the concern here.
E. Bingo. Calories count is not the only parameter; hence goal will not be achieved.

Ans-E­

­(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
The argument doesn't mention the revenue aspect of the businesses. 
(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
Yes, this raises serious questions regarding the advisability of implementing the proposal. If the studies are severely limited, we cannot use them for policy implementation .
(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
Frequent revisions is not a concern given the passage. 
(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
The argument and the advise don't concern affordability as a factor
(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
Other unhealthy reasons are not discussed. 
 ­

Let's analyse options:

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
This statement addresses the economic impact on restaurants rather than the effectiveness of calorie counts in combating obesity. While it might suggest a potential downside for businesses, it does not directly challenge the argument that calorie counts lead to healthier choices and reduced obesity rates.

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
This statement suggests that the evidence supporting the effectiveness of calorie counts may not be applicable to all types of restaurants. It raises the question of whether the positive effects seen in fast food restaurants can be generalized to the entire restaurant industry. However, it does not fundamentally undermine the argument that calorie counts lead to healthier choices.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
This statement addresses the feasibility and accuracy of implementing calorie counts. If calorie counts are often inaccurate, the credibility and usefulness of the information provided to consumers are compromised. This could undermine the argument that calorie counts will lead to healthier choices, but it doesn't directly refute the premise that accurate calorie information can influence choices.

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
This statement directly challenges the premise that displaying calorie counts will lead to healthier choices. If high-calorie foods remain more appealing due to their affordability, the availability of calorie information may not significantly alter consumer behavior or reduce obesity rates. This directly questions the effectiveness of the proposal.

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
This statement points out that calorie counts alone do not provide a complete picture of a food's healthiness. While it highlights a limitation of focusing solely on calories, it does not fundamentally undermine the premise that calorie counts can lead to healthier choices based on caloric intake.

Hence D.

A, C and D are out of scope. Out of B and E, E seems to be a direct weakener as according to it, the proposal would still be unsuccessful in controlling the obesity levels as the many dishes won't provide information regarding the same.­

Okay, we're almost at the end.
I will miss this competition, for sure.
The orange team looks invincible but we will fight until the end.
Let's start with our explanation of this topic:

Identify the Question:
We are dealing with an Weaken question. We would focus on Premises and Conclusion.
We need to find the gaps in the argument and try to make the argument less likely to be true.

Deconstruct the Argument:
­Health Advocate's Argument: The implementation of mandatory calorie counts on all restaurant menus is widely seen as an effective measure to combat obesity. - Background (Explanation of the Conclusion at the end)
Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. - Premise.
Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts - Proposal
aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years. - Goal (Conclusion).

State the goal:
In Weaken questions we are first looking for the gaps (assumptions) the author makes in order to conclude his conclusion (as I stated before).
I can come up with several gaps here. How many people do eat in restaurants? Pharps the same people eat every time and other people increasing the obesity? It will weaken the argmument. Also, What kind of restaurants we are talking about here? they just mention a research in general and conclude it to tall type of restaurants but if the research was only upon American burger Fastfood restaurants? it will weaken the argument.
With that in our mind, let's see what the answer choices have to offer.

Elimination
A) No tie - We are concerned about the business losses. We need to find an answer that will make the goal less likely to be true. This answer doesn't give us any additional information for knowing if the plan will work by the current proposal. We can think of one assumption here that the obesity is reducing by the restaurants losing their customer and thus people eat healthy food at home. - Eliminate.
B) Correct - Exactly what we thought before. If the study was only regard Fastfood, how they conclude that doing the proposal will work for all restaurants and then decreasing the obesity? if the conclusion won't work we have just weakened the argument.
C) Premise Involving - We know by our premise that displaying the calories work, even if it accurate or less accurate. Maybe just the displaying of the caloried increase the awarness of people and thus will lead to reduce in obesity. - Eliminate.
D) Premise Involving - Same as Answer choice C. We know by our premise that displaying the calories work, even if it affordable or not. the same example with the awarness work here too. - Eliminate.
E) NoImpact - How is that answer choice impact our argument? We know that displaying calories work. We know that some content inside the food is unhealthy, it doesn't impact the conclusion if it going to work or not. - Eliminate.
E) Mix words - We don't know that. Even if we "assume" (and we cannot do that in inference questions) that it doesn't have to be true. Pharps the regions that flourished by the high density of tech companies was depressed before? and they came without goverment incentives? - Eliminate.



THE END
I hope you liked the explanation, I have tried my best here.
Let me know if you have any questions about this question or my explanation.

Health Advocate's Argument: The implementation of mandatory calorie counts on all restaurant menus is widely seen as an effective measure to combat obesity. Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts, aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls into question the advisability of implementing the proposal?

To prove – national obesity rate will not reduce in next 10 years by displaying calorie terms

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses. Not our concern, eliminate.

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry. Maybe a potential answer, hold

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions. Not our concern, eliminate

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays. maybe a potential answer, hold

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone. we are concerned with high calorie count foods eliminate

Among B and D option B is about demonstrating effectiveness of calorie count
Option D suggests that even if the calorie list is present, people will still buy by since they are more affordable, weakens the confusion. Answer option D.

­Correct choice: 

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
--> As restaurants are not forced or it's not mandatory to provide calorie counts if they face revenuw loss by voluntarily implmeneting it then they will not provide calorie count or reduced calorie count to increase revenue.

Incorrect choices:

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
--> This will still help to reduce obesity rate as fast food plays a major role in unhealthy food leading to obesity.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
--> Accurate estimatation is not necessary, near by value can also give the idea of difference in calories of different food.

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
--> As it is stated in paragraph that people will choose healthier option if information is available the cost is not a factor relating to proposal doubt.

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
--> Still it will help to reduce obesity as many foods are not having unhealthy content and still having high calories.
 

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.

This option concerns economic impacts on businesses but does not directly address the effectiveness of calorie counts in reducing obesity rates.
(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.

This option suggests that the evidence supporting the proposal may not be universally applicable across all types of restaurants. It implies that the observed benefits in fast food restaurants might not apply to other dining establishments, potentially weakening the overall impact on obesity reduction.
(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.

This option highlights practical challenges in implementation but does not directly undermine the claim that displaying calorie counts can reduce obesity rates.
(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.

While affordability may influence choices, this option conflicts with the passage's claim that people switch to healthier options when calorie counts are available. Since the premise of switching to healthier options is given, this option is less effective in undermining the argument based on the given premise.
(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.

This option challenges the assumption that lower-calorie foods are always healthier. If foods that are low in calories but high in unhealthy components (like salt or sugar) are chosen instead, the overall health benefits might be limited, and obesity rates might not be significantly impacted. This directly questions whether calorie counts alone can lead to meaningful reductions in obesity.
This option directly addresses the potential limitation of relying solely on calorie counts to reduce obesity, suggesting that calorie counts might not lead to a significant reduction in obesity if people choose foods that are low in calories but still unhealthy in other ways.

Ans E

Health Advocate's Argument: The implementation of mandatory calorie counts on all restaurant menus is widely seen as an effective measure to combat obesity. Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts, aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.
Goal: reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years
Plan: Order restaurants to mandatorily display calorie counts on menus.
Support: when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options

Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls into question the advisability of implementing the proposal? The correct answer choice will undermine the plan

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses. Irrelevant the plan because the goal of reducing obesity may still be achievable

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry. Even if the plan works in fast food restaurants only obesity rate might go down.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions. Doesn't imply that goal will not be achieved

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays. If this is true than despite the display of calorie counts, customers will choose high calorie options. Thus, the plan will fail.

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone. Out of scope

­Health Advocate's Argument: The implementation of mandatory calorie counts on all restaurant menus is widely seen as an effective measure to combat obesity. Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts, aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls into question the advisability of implementing the proposal?

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
Explanation: This option focuses on potential business impacts, which are important but secondary to the primary public health goal. Hence, this doesn't question the proposal's advisability. INCORRECT

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast-food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
Explanation: This option suggests that the evidence may be limited in scope as the studies focused primarily on fast-food restaurants, but it does not outright contradict the broader effectiveness of the proposal. What if the majority of people dining at restaurants eat at fast food joints.? INCORRECT

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
Explanation: This option directly raises questions about the effectiveness of the proposal. The main idea behind the proposal is to display the calorie count so that people can choose healthier options because per studies the masses would do so if provided with the calorie information. So if the restaurants provide skewed calorie information, this raises the concern of the validity of the caloric data which could negate the objective of the proposal. CORRECT

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
Explanation: This option is immaterial to the proposal's effectiveness. A mere appeal of a food doesn't necessarily mean that it will be consumed by the masses. Also, it has been already established that if the calorie information is provided, people choose healthier options. INCORRECT

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
Explanation: Similar to Option D, this is also immaterial to the notion behind the proposal. The main idea behind the proposal is to display the calorie count so that people can choose healthier options. INCORRECT­

The right answer is Option C­

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses. Business loss is not the main focus. irrelevent

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry. Also in the favour of passage.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions. Not the main point which is need to be weakened

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.This is the point which if true will not make the obesity count go down.

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone. Unheathy is not the point, its about being obese due to calories. irrelevent.

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
     It talks about potential impact on revenue for businesses. This does not weaken the advisability of implementing the proposal from the lens of reducing the national obersity rate. 

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
     What this ans choice says is part of the sample set that is already considered as part of the evidence. Even if this portion of evidence is considered, we will still need a weakener for the advisability of implementing the proposal. It does not affect the argument of reduction of obesity rate by the display of calorie counts proposal.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
     This is a tricky choice, but on a careful evaluation, all this choice projects is a difficulty in implementation. But, it doesn't really attack the argument of reduction of obesity rate by the display of calorie counts proposal. Let's say instead of 576 we may put 550 or 600 or 500 as calorie count and when we look at the 

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
     This talks about the human behavior of choosing affordable options even when calorie counts are displayed. A perfect weakner because the chances of obesity rate reductions are bleaky and further weaken the advisability of the implementation of the proposal. 

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
     From the argument, all we are told is that studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. what are these healthier options is not clear? is there is an implicit assumption that lower calories are healthier options? Are salt or sugar content the driving cause of obesity? we don't know all of these from the argument. 
    
The right ans choice is D. ­

­Question stem tells us,
Implementation of calorie counts is seen as effective measure against obesity.
Why? Study shows people make healthier optoins when information is avaliable.
Plan - All restaurants should be required to display calorie counts => reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.

We want to weaken the plan.

Looking at options,
(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.
If customers decrease in restaurants, maybe obesity will go down as people start eating at home. Plan is not talking about revenue for restaurants. If anything, this partially strengthen's the plan. Eliminate

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.
If this is true, then goal of reducing natoinal obesity rate will be in trouble as studies primarily focused only on fast food resaurants which is only a portion. Generalisation of plan will not work as we do know not effect of calories count display on other resaurant industries. Keep it

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.
Even if they have to make frequent revisions, people will still look at calories and change their orders based on it. This doesn't weaken the plan. Eliminate

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.
Even if they are more appealling options, some portion of population will consider calories count and priotisie it. Just because it is appealing, doesn't mean people will choose it. Even if some people change their orders based on calories count, national obesity rate will down a little which is the goal. Eliminate

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.
Unhealthy does not mean obesity. Goal is to reduce obesity, no mention of helathy or unhealthy food in plan. Eliminate­

­Health Advocate's Argument: The implementation of mandatory calorie counts on all restaurant menus is widely seen as an effective measure to combat obesity. Studies have shown that when calorie information is readily available, people choose healthier options. Therefore, a health official proposes that all restaurants should be required to display calorie counts, aiming to reduce the national obesity rate within 10 years.

Which of the following, if true, most seriously calls into question the advisability of implementing the proposal?

(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses. (Out of scope, we are not concerned with revenues of restaurants)

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry. (Plan proposal is based on study findings. Thus if study is limited to just a tiny portion of the restaurant industry, then we can call into the question the advisability of implementing the proposal)

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.( Out of scope)

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays. (Still, it can deter a number of people for avoiding the food based on calorie count thus not the answer we are looking for)

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone. (We are concerned with the obesity factor of food only, thus this is irrelevant)

 
­A. Our point is to combat obesity. Whether the restaurants lose business is irrelevant to the argument.
B. The nature of the study remains the same even if the sample set is localized to a particular type of restaurant.
C. We only know that when the information is available, people choose healthier options. People's decisions are based on calorific values mentioned on the menus. So if the values keep on changing, people might not be able to make accurate decision in chosing foods since the values are not reliable. This creates a doubt on the effictiveness of the proposal.
D. This choice seems to directly question the effectiveness of the proposal. Financial contraints might lead people to eat high calorie foods even with the calorie values visible. But passage never suggests that high calorie foods are the ones causing obesity or that low calorie foods are healthy.
E. Even if these foods are unhealthy, we don't know whether the people will choose to eat these unhealthy options since it is only mentioned that people choose healthier options. We don't know that low calorie foods are healthier options. Further, passage is concerned more about controlling obesity not general health.­

­(A) Many restaurants that voluntarily provide calorie counts have seen a decrease in customers, indicating potential revenue losses for businesses.

• This highlights potential revenue losses but does not address the effectiveness of calorie counts in reducing obesity.

(B) Studies demonstrating the effectiveness of calorie counts have primarily focused on fast-food restaurants, which only represent a portion of the restaurant industry.

• This concerns the generalizability of study findings but does not directly question the effectiveness of calorie counts in addressing obesity.

(C) Restaurants that have already implemented calorie counts report difficulties in accurately estimating the calorie content for every dish, leading to frequent revisions.

• This points out practical challenges in implementation but does not directly question the overall impact of calorie counts on obesity.

(D) Foods that are high in calories are often the most affordable options, making them more appealing despite calorie count displays.

• This addresses economic factors affecting food choices but does not question the core effectiveness of calorie counts in reducing obesity.

(E) Many foods that do not have high-calorie counts are still unhealthy because of high salt or sugar content, which is not necessarily reflected in calorie counts alone.

• Correct. This option correctly questions the proposal’s effectiveness by pointing out that calorie counts alone do not capture other crucial aspects of food healthiness, such as high salt or sugar content, which are also important in managing obesity. Even though people choose healthier options based on the provided calorie information, those foods are still considered unhealthy because of high salt or sugar which might not be effective in reducing obesity.

­