This accounts, I have found, for virtually all of the false information. Other sources are from individuals who are misinformed or offer no information unless a fee is paid. The few sites that contain valid information are those of journals, dieticians and other health professionals, college students replying to questions of validity, and concerned individuals such as myself who are astounded by the wealth of untrue claims. This is a general profile which will be embellished upon discussion of individual sites. The motivations of individuals who promote unhelpful if not harmful practices must be strong enough to override a societal norm which looks down upon the exploitation of others.
Money seems to be the major motivation of authors on the Internet.
Weight loss, as a business, is very profitable. The amount of individuals in society who are overweight and who want to be thin supercedes the amount who are not overweight and do not want to be thin. Although most people know that a balanced diet and exercise three times a week will stabilize and maintain a healthy weight, Americans, as a whole, are apathetic and lazy. We do not want to watch our weight nor exercise because it is too difficult and time-consuming. Another reason the already proven methods are underused is they are just plain not fun.