(5.48) People who use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar tend to be heavier

Question

(5.48) People who use artificial sweeteners in place of sugar tend to be heavier than people who use sugar. Does this mean that artificial sweeteners cause weight gain?

Select a more plausible explanation for this association.

People who are overweight are more likely to be on diets, and so choose artificial sweeteners over sugar. Artificial sweeteners actually do cause weight gain, while weight gain causes an increased metabolic rate. Thus a high metabolic rate leads to the use of artificial sweeteners. A high metabolic rate leads to obesity, as well as use of artificial sweeteners. Thus artificial sweeteners should actually cause weight loss. Artificial sweeteners increase the body's metabolic rate, and so does being overweight. Thus artificial sweeteners lead to obesity.

Explanation / Answer

Artificial sweeteners are used by those already on diet (with weight problems). Hence,

OPTION A: People who are overweight are more likely to be on diets, and so choose artificial sweeteners over sugar. [ANSWER]

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