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

Mavisdu1017 · Answer

I picked B too, but I read again, E seems to be okay cuz its wording is very general.
Can anybody help? Or Pls offer OE, thanks.

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.

owen1ee · Answer

I got it wrong, but I think B here didn't provide explanations. Instead, it shows the two points of view regarding one dispute. The second BF did reveal the shortcoming in both of them, but did not dismiss them. And it supports the main conclusion - it should focus on other aspects.

owen1ee · Answer

I think the first part here is a debate and two sides of view regarding it. Not a consideration and it's two explanations.

Herak923 · Answer

What is incorrect with option D? Can someone plz throw some light on this?

ArjunKumar25 · Answer

(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

How is the first an observation not disputed by the argument. The opponents do dispute it. The second portion of E works but I am having a difficult time understanding the first.
 Bunuel

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.

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

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

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