[schrodinger]

These aren't independent variables. The point is that a half an hour run only burns around 300-400 calories, a deficit which could more easily be accomplished by diet. Also, it's possible that the run would increase your appetite.

The point isn't that exercise _can't_ work, it's that aiming for dietary changes has a higher average ROI than exercise.

[jsprogrammer]

"these"? I don't know what that refers to.

No one has argued that there is a lower than average ROI (you get paid for not eating?) from exercise.