The debate over whether obesity is a disease grows as obesity rates an

The debate over whether obesity is a disease grows as obesity rates and the cost of treating obesity-related conditions increase in the United States. Proponents stress that obesity is a disease because it is a result of genetics and biological factors, or illnesses, including hypothyroidism and Cushing's syndrome, disorders that cause weight gain. Opponents argue that obesity is not a disease because it is the result of a person's chosen lifestyle, eating habits, and environment. However, in this ever flaring debate on the categorization of obesity, both the sides ignore the fact that categorization of obesity in either way would not address the underlying problems causing it, problems such as poverty, the prevalence of unhealthy processed foods, etc. The nation and its people would be benefited if we focus more on tackling the underlying issues than on debating the categorization.

In the argument above, the two portions in boldface play which of the following roles?

(A) The first provides a reason to doubt the conclusion of the argument; the second is the opinion that creates that doubt.
(B) The first is an observation, for which two possible explanations are presented in the argument; the second dismisses both of those explanations.
(C) The first is an observation that the argument as a whole seeks to explain; the second is a claim that explains one aspect of the observation.
(D) The first describes a circumstance whose validity is questioned in the argument; the second raises that question.
(E) The first is an observation that is not disputed by the argument; the second is a belief that supports the conclusion of the argument