America's obesity problem equals a billion gallons of gas per year

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

Newsflash: Americans are fat. And no, we're not just big boned. Obesity has reached epidemic proportions over the past couple decades, and as a result diabetes, heart disease and just about every other health issue are on the rise.

The Atlantic reports that the amount of fuel we're using is on the rise as well, as heavy occupants need more fuel to get from Point A to *insert drive-thru joke here*. A 2006 study shows that Americans weigh so much more than they did in 1960 that we're using up an additional billion gallons of petrol every year.

That's about $4 billion a year at today's gas prices, and nearly one percent of overall fuel usage. And that was back in 2006 – as we continue to plump up, the dollars continue to pile up. Inside Line reports that each pound we gain as a population adds up to another $39 million. It's too bad we can't get stop/start tech for our appetites.

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http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/americas-obesity-problem-equals-a-billion-gallons-of-gas-per-ye/

 

[Giannis]

What's the use of such statistics?

In the same way, I could reduce my fuel bills by 40% if I quit drinking beer outside my house, because I have to drive to the bloody bar.

 

[Gianclaudio]

What's the use of such statistics?

In the same way, I could reduce my fuel bills by 40% if I quit drinking beer outside my house, because I have to drive to the bloody bar.

Giannis, my friend, don't be unresponsible, do what I do when I go out for booze: use the bike!!!

Regards!

 

[Giannis]

I'm not unresponsible, I usually leave the car there

 

[Gianclaudio]

Haahahahaha!!!!

 

[mini_cooper4]

I'm not unresponsible, I usually leave the car there

I do the same when I drink. There are drink-n-drive services but I haven't tried that yet and I don't feel comfortable as a passenger in my own car

 

[Cashmere]

What's the use of such statistics?

In the same way, I could reduce my fuel bills by 40% if I quit drinking beer outside my house, because I have to drive to the bloody bar.

I agree with your opinion. Using big numbers and these kind of stats are a way of sensationalizing the report. Bottom line is that a lot of American people know that obesity is a big problem but are still reluctant to change their eating habits. I guess the media are trying to approach the matter from a different perspective.

 

[Mr Robert]

The cars they use are a bigger problem than the americans themselves.

 

[speed_kills]

So the problem is obesity and not the large V6 and V8 just to drive to work. If 4cylinder diesel selled has good as in europe, fuel consumption will be much lower.

 

[Giannis]

I do the same when I drink. There are drink-n-drive services but I haven't tried that yet and I don't feel comfortable as a passenger in my own car

There are drink and drive services here, as well, yet they are a bit risky. You might get cought driving under influence

 

[mini_cooper4]

There are drink and drive services here, as well, yet they are a bit risky. You might get cought driving under influence

Here most of the people doing it are very young and I doubt they are capable drivers. The clutch is too expensive to change not to say that the LP is not so easy to park if you drive it for the first time...

 

[Giannis]

Here most of the people doing it are very young and I doubt they are capable drivers. The clutch is too expensive to change not to say that the LP is not so easy to park if you drive it for the first time...

I meant "drink and drive (yourself)"

 

[330CIZHP]

Too much fast food is becoming an epidemic in the US. Most of the people are not able to fit in a plane seat so they complain about being forced to buy two seats.

I might sound like Jeremy Clarkson, but it is not a surprise that the negative effects far exceed that of any form of emissions from cars (which are 95% cleaner now than they were 30 years ago).

 

[Deleted member 25]

I found that hilarious hahaha

 

[Centurion]

Obese SUVs + Obese people = gassy cars & gassy stomachs

 

[Human]

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