Sometimes the problem with addressing common misconceptions is that saying "A does not lead directly to B" does not also mean that "A does not lead to lead to B indirectly by way of Q, D and X, but only if A is in place with the following 14 conditions and the factors of D, L and M are not present."

Taubes's "Alternative Hypothesis" from the "eat less and exercise and you'll lose weight" read to me like, "Exercise might burn a few calories but in most it stimulates appetite, so merely exercising is not going to make the world thin". That doesn't mean that exercise is not good for OTHER reasons. Exercise that builds muscle is significantly great, for example. And even cardio for someone not used to it can do some of that, and can greatly increase flexibility, sense of well being, joint/ligament strength, etc. The increase in lean body mass and decrease in insulin resistance are both fantastic (more found in resistance training than cardio obviously) as a contribution to weight loss. But "walking 20 minutes each evening" is probably not gonna do jack for weight loss. That doesn't mean it won't improve your body and your health in some way. Just that promoting it as the cure-all for obesity -- the "Hypothesis" to which he offers an alternative -- is one that really NEEDS an alternative.

I think people should be encouraged to do whatever movement they feel comfortable with. As people get lighter, the desire to move, and the optimism to come up with reasons to do it (not gerbil racing, but from cooking to serious yard work, things that naturally pull a little more 'movement' into the live of sedentary people) increase naturally.