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

Question

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

pinakinjsaojoij · Answer

Understand the first bold face :-
 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. 
BF1 says that -  debate ( whether obesity is a disease ) Grows as Obesity rates increase

In further statement there is a dispute between proponents and opponents on whether obesity is a disease.

clearly BF1 is an observation (that the debate grows as the obesity rate is increase.) which is not resolved in argument and for which no explanation is provided because explanation is provided for "whether obesity is disease" but there is no explanation for debate. So clearly option B is out.

amansoni5 · Answer

(A) The first provides a reason to doubt the conclusion of the argument; the second is the opinion that creates that doubt. - The first part nowhere provides any reason or rationale. It is only an explanation. The second is an opinion but it does not create a doubt on the conclusion. Rather, it supports it.  Incorrect. 
(B) The first is an observation, for which two possible explanations are presented in the argument; the second dismisses both of those explanations. - The first is an observation true. However, the arguement does not present two "possible explanations". It rather presents both sides of the arguement. The second does not dismiss the explanations. The arguement suggests that the two sides of the debaters have ignored another layer.  Incorrect. 
(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. - The first is an observation - true. Does the arguement seek to explain the observation - yes, it does provide the two sides of the debate. But as a whole, it does not focuses on the debate. It focuses on the part which is ignored by both the sides. The second part does not explain any particular aspect. It, in itself, is another side that is presented in the arguement which supports the conclusion.  Incorrect. 
(D) The first describes a circumstance whose validity is questioned in the argument; the second raises that question. - The first describes a circumstance, right. However, the argument nowhere questions its validity. The second part does not raise a question against the validity of the first.  Incorrect. 
(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 - The first is an observation - right. It is not disputed by the argument - right. The second is a belief - right. It supports the conclusion of the argument - right.  Correct.

DishaAgarwal12 · Answer

For B- The first part "B) The first is an observation, for which two possible explanations are presented in the argument" isnt this correct? 2 possible explanations why there is a debate

AbhishekP220108 · Answer

Hi  DishaAgarwal12

The proponents and opponents are not providing "explanations" for the observation in BF1 (they aren't explaining why the debate is growing or why costs are rising). They are simply taking sides in the debate itself. Furthermore, BF2 doesn't dismiss their arguments; it dismisses the usefulness of the debate as a whole.

Axwe7 · Answer

MartyMurray

Isn't BF2 the conclusion of the argument? Key word here is "however". What's the relation between BF2 and the final sentence? Is BF2 a sub-conclusion (i.e., claim)?

Thanks kindly!

guddo · Answer

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?

The first boldface gives the background situation: the obesity debate is becoming more intense as obesity rates and related costs rise. The argument does not challenge this. The second boldface supports the author’s final conclusion that people should focus more on the underlying causes of obesity than on the label “disease” or “not disease.”  The second boldface is a key reason  for shifting attention away from  categorization .

(A) The first provides a reason to doubt the conclusion of the argument; the second is the opinion that creates that doubt.

Wrong. The first does not cast doubt on the conclusion. It simply explains why the debate is growing.

(B) The first is an observation, for which two possible explanations are presented in the argument; the second dismisses both of those explanations.

Wrong. The two sides are not explanations of why the debate is growing. They are opposing positions in the debate.

(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.

Wrong. The argument does not mainly try to explain why the debate is growing. It argues that the debate is less useful than addressing underlying causes.

(D) The first describes a circumstance whose validity is questioned in the argument; the second raises that question.

Wrong. The argument does not question whether the debate is growing or whether obesity rates and costs are increasing.

(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.

Correct. The first boldface is an undisputed background observation. The second boldface supports the conclusion that the focus should shift from categorizing obesity to tackling the deeper causes.

Answer: (E)

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

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

GMAT Critical Reasoning (CR) Questions

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

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia