Obesity in the United States of America is becoming a growing epidemic. USA today states 34% of the population is obese and predict the obesity rate to increase to 75% by 2015. With the threat of obesity looming over the nation, several persons and agencies have suggested ways to help Americans lose weight. Even the government has made suggestions on weight loss. In the article “The Fed’s Fib About Low-Fat”, written by Michael Fumento, the government’s role in the weight loss battle is being critiqued. The article appeared in the syndicated newspaper The Washington Times, which is read by an adult audience of diverse cultures and educational levels around the country. Michael Fumento argues that the government’s suggestions to consume low-fat diets, more specifically to “reduce the fat in their diets to 30% or less of total calories”, is misleading and does not lead to weight loss or a healthy consumer. The author uses the three rhetorical appeals to help persuade his audience, however his usage of logos strengthens his argument. Fumento uses extrinsic ethos to help build his argument. At the end of the article, Michael Fumento’s credentials are listed as the senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. By listing his title, he can influence the audience that he is knowledgeable and certified to make this argument. Fumento also states that he has written a book about the subject matter, which further strengthens his reputation to be an authority in writing this article. Fumento’s use of extrinsic ethos is strong because it shows his credibility. A well-balanced argument from the writer helps the audience to believe that the writer reviewed all sides of the argument and made a decision based on the facts presented. In this article, Fumento does not state or argue any validity to the government’s suggestion of low-fat diets promoting weight loss. He states that