John P Foreyt bringing attention the various weight loss diet available

Introduction

John P. Foreyt wants to highlight the best diet for weight reduction and other options for the reader in this essay. He starts off by stating that all weight loss diets are successful as long as they are used properly. He goes on to say that a variety of factors affect how successful a weight loss diet is. Taste, cost, diversity, palatability, satiety and hunger triggers, metabolic responses elicited, societal and behavioral variables, as well as factors that affect satiety and hunger John draws the reader in with encouraging and upbeat comments about the potential for weight loss. He is persuasive in his opening remarks to give the reader an interest in reading further to find out more about weight loss. The clear message sent here is that any deliberate attempt to take up weight loss diet is likely to give observable results. For an abstract, the persuasive direction that the author takes is good enough to prompt more reading because the abstract is almost a way of giving an answer to the question of whether weight loss is possible or not. The intended audience for this essay is the people struggling with overweight and obesity, and the essay strives to take them through a well-structured study of the possible remedies.

Obesity as a Worldwide Public Health Challenge

In the introduction of the essay by John Foreyt, he diverts from the abstract by facing the immediate problem of obesity as a worldwide public health challenge. The obesity menace at hand is not only a personal problem but also a global problem to which the whole world seeks to find a solution. There is a connection between the abstract and the first part of the introduction in the sense that every stakeholder in the health sector is striving to get a solution. This means that the already recommended weight loss diet is to a given degree effective as declared in the abstract. The author further breaks down the reasons as to why obesity is considered a worldwide problem by giving the statistics on the prevalence of obesity in the United States within a span of 28 years. ‘… The prevalence of obesity increased from 13.4% in 1980 to 33.8% in 2008 among adults and from 5% to 16.9% among children. In the same time period.’ (Foreyt). This shows that adults are at a greater risk of getting obese than children are. This is further shown in the statistics given that sixty-eight percent of the adults in the United States are either overweight or obese. Having previously outlined that weight loss diet is effective, the statistics further justify that claim because adults are more likely to check on their weight and take precautions regarding the same. The statistics give the reader a vivid picture of what the situation is like in actual number rather than mere speculations.

Debate on the Optimal Diet for Weight Loss

The optimal diet for weight loss becomes a question of debate. The essay involves the audience in discussing the ideal or preferred weight loss diet putting into consideration the nutrient and fat content of the diets. There rises a debate between the effectiveness of either a low-fat or a low-carbohydrate diet. To reach a consensus between the two, the writer finds it prudent to give a deeper analysis of what both the diets entail and how effective each of them can be. The analysis of both the diets is important enough to lead the reader on to find out what their preference would be. It is an objective discussion since the audience is not subjected to a specific diet but instead given alternatives to pick on. The alternatives given are not subjective as well because; in the comparison of the two, there are almost striking similarities and balance. This leaves the reader to make an objective choice on which diet they would use to help them lose weight. The discussion in this section makes the essay and recommendations therein to be very objective and reliable for any person in search of answers to the questions of weight loss and appropriate diets.

Details of Low-fat and Low-carbohydrate Diets

The author narrows down to give the details on the two diets mentioned above. Every diet is discussed independently and there is no bias in the details. He gives a detailed information on the diets beginning with the low-fat diets. Low fats diet is effective because it has been considered suitable by most stakeholders in the field. ‘…recommended by most governmental bodies, scientific and health organizations worldwide, including the World Health Organization, American Heart Association, American Cancer Society…’(Foreyt).The listed bodies and organizations are enough illustrations of how effective the low-fat diet can be. A detailed research by these bodies must be credited for the findings because they cannot possibly recommend the diet without proper reasons. The translation of this is that this diet is ideal for not only helping to lose weight but also in promoting good health. This discussion does not fail to give the shortcomings of this method. ‘Unfortunately, the low fats diet seem to have done little to control the obesity epidemic, Newer nutritional approaches appear to be needed if obesity is ever going to be managed.’ (Foreyt)

The information given on the low carbohydrates diet is that it was popular during the commencing of obesity as a global problem around the 1980’s. It is, therefore, the oldest method of weight loss to be used long before other diets were formulated. ‘… is still being highly recommended and advocated for by many doctors, healthcare professionals, researchers, and dieters. As the saying goes, old is gold, the realization that the diet has survived the test of time is a good indication that it is effective just as much as the new methods. Its effectiveness can be further justified by the fact that it is still being used to date by many people and it works. There are also shortcoming s in the effectiveness of this method as for whether it helps eliminate fats from the body is still controversial.

Comparison of Low-fat and Low-carbohydrate Diets

Having given the detailed information on both the weight loss diets, the need to compare is inevitable and the author is at it. Comparison between the two diets is given based on factual analysis and dependable information. The author writes based on reliable information that has been generated from a number of researchers and from studies on diets and weight loss. There are a lot of contrasts in the studies and researchers that reaching a consensus becomes quite a task. According to Foreyt’s analysis, the initial claim that all weight loss diets are effective stands strong because none of the studies and researchers give a satisfactory answer. The only valid consensus that the researchers and study give is that all the weight loss diets are effective as long as the diet is followed aptly with enthusiasm and persistence. A suggestion is given that the diet needs to be of an individual’s preference because persistence and enthusiasm can only be achieved if the diet has an individual’s desired macronutrients. ‘Calories are calories, only the caloric intake level has an effect on the weight loss, not the source of the calories.’ (Foreyt).

Role of Educating Consumers in the Fight Against Obesity

Away from the theories, research and studies, Foreyt feels that there is need to bring the information into practical realities. People struggling with weight loss are most probably undertaking the difficult task of sticking to a weight loss diet said above but with negligible results. Such comes with frustrations and despair and consequently, the people give up. The information cannot reach every individual at the grass root level and there has to be a formulated method to reach them to avoid wastage of time and energy in trying to achieve weight loss. Without proper information, ignorance is paramount and the fight against obesity might never be achieved. It is thus a rational reasoning when Foreyt suggests that the food industry should be at the forefront of educating consumers on the dangers of obesity, the need to observe healthy lifestyles and even the choices the consumers can take in order to achieve weight loss through the strategies that the consumers themselves find suitable and acceptable.

With the given information reaching consumers, obesity cases becoming lesser with time will become a reality. The rate of weight loss might vary from one individual to another depending on factors such as palatability of food, satiety and hunger triggers, culture, and behavior which also vary from one individual to another. Foreyt is making a point that the main aim, however, is to have obesity and weight loss managed and if it is achievable, then the end justifies the means.

Conclusion

At the end of his essay, Foreyt makes a transition from contrast to recommendations. He begins focusing on the idea that the fight against obesity is actually a societal problem that cannot be won at personal levels but that needs unity of the entire population. This focus leads Foreyt to make suggestions and incorporates the food industry into the fight against obesity. He offers a suggestion that is likely to bring success to the fight against obesity. The problem will be half solved by merely having the masses informed and educated. All through his essay, Foreyt is involved in an open discussion trying to find solutions to the weight menace and the end of the essay comes with an insightful thought of having the masses educated right by the people from whom they purchase their foodstuff.

Weaving of the Essay

More important than the function of the techniques he uses independently is how Foreyt uses them together in the weaving of his essay. A good example is how he begins by acknowledging that weight loss diets are all effective without bringing in the aspect of contrast which would have created a different effect. His readers, particularly those struggling with excess weight and obesity would have undoubtedly been discouraged. The approach he uses throughout his essay was specifically designed to be beneficial in creating an essay that would help him in presenting his ideas and thoughts.

Work cited

Foreyt, J.P. et al. Weight loss diets: Are they all the same? Food Engineering and Ingredients. Cengage. 2010. Print.