Who Says Americans Are Fat Analysis

Introduction Paragraph In Amanda Spake’s article, “Rethinking Weight”, and Daniel Heimpel’s article “Who Says Americans are Fat?”, the authors discuss underlying issues concerning weight, analyzing the the risks of obesity. They go beyond these risks to examine society’s perception of what is and isn’t obese to discuss where these problems begin and how we should go about ending them. Using facts and large amounts of data, these authors covey their positions in a logical and empirical manner, while at times weaving in their own opinions to persuade readers one way to the other. Although “Rethinking Weight” by Amanda Spake seems to share similar concerns and ideas with “Who Says Americans are Fat?” by Daniel Heimpel, there are significant differences
Despite the fact that this tool is one of the best possible options, it is still inaccurate due to its strong reliance on the accuracy of the BMI system. Hiempel then explains the reasons behind such a system as being due to the common conception that those who are overweight have a higher mortality rate. It is then that Hiempel presents the main element of his article by challenging this conception, saying that the obesity issue may not be as bad as it has been made out to be. He supports his counterargument by giving evidence suggesting that those who are obese have higher amounts of nutrients that helpful in surgery situations rather than harmful. Circling back to his main claim, Hiempel examines the ineffective aspects of dieting, prevention recommendations, and weight loss programs. He concludes his article by stating that programs such as HAES(Healthy at Every Size) are in fact an effective and more reliable method that is successful due to its aim at a persons overall healthy behaviors and positive acceptance of themselves. These closing thoughts coincide with the authors argument surrounding his article that the obesity epidemic is too closely looked at and controlled by the views of
In Spake’s article she takes the obesity issue very seriously even implying that obesity “should be treated like any other life-threatening illness”(paragraph 3). Furthermore, by the end of her article her solution to this issue is to look at the “epidemic” closer in order to find productive treatment options. In comparison, Heimpel’s resolve is that the obesity is overhyped to the point where it is the very thing keeping those struggling with obesity from leading healthy lives, closing his paragraph stating “the sooner we learn to look past the fat and to focus on health.(paragraph