Which source is the most relevant, credible, and valid for a student writing a research paper on healthy eating habits?

a video made by an Olympic gymnast detailing her weekly meal and exercise plans
an editorial cartoon that suggests large portion sizes at fast food restaurants contribute to childhood obesity
a chart published by the Food and Drug Administration displaying recommended portion sizes of various foods
a graph made by a high school science teacher that shows the relationship between dining out and weight gain

1 answer

For a research paper on healthy eating habits, the most relevant, credible, and valid source would be:

A chart published by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) displaying recommended portion sizes of various foods.

This source is credible because the FDA is a reputable government agency that provides scientifically-based information related to food and nutrition, making their guidelines reliable for academic research. The chart is also relevant to the topic of healthy eating habits as it directly pertains to portion sizes, which are essential for understanding dietary choices.

In contrast, the other options may provide interesting insights or opinions but do not carry the same level of credibility or direct relevance to scientifically-backed dietary guidelines.