Answer: 4. C. Emphasize the disconnect between government spending on agriculture and its impact on Americans' diets.
The author cites a statistic about the US government's subsidization of the farming industry in the final sentence of the fourth paragraph to emphasize the disconnect between government spending on agriculture and its impact on Americans' diets. The author mentions that the last five-year farm bill included $300 billion in spending but such spending has never been used as a tool to improve the population's nutrition. The author points out that subsidies to farmers have made corn and soy cheaper than fruits, vegetables, and whole grains and that food companies have built entire brands based on these cheaper commodities which contribute to unhealthy processed foods, highlighting the disconnect between government spending and the quality of the calories consumed by Americans.
8. A. analyzing one type of government solution to dietary change to proposing a more individualized approach to the problem.
In the seventh paragraph, the authors acknowledge the resistance in the US to taxing unhealthy foods. As a result, they shift from analyzing a government-based solution to the problem of unhealthy eating habits to proposing a more individualized approach. This new approach is likely based on the recognition that government intervention in the form of taxes may not be feasible or effective. By proposing a more individualized approach, the authors aim to overcome the obstacles to healthy eating habits and find a way to effectively address the issue.