Overweight people contribute more to global warming claim two British researchers. The study by Dr Phil Edwards and Ian Roberts of The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine was published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
The populations of the wealthy nations are getting larger. According to Dr Edwards, “UK health surveys estimate fatness has increased from an average body mass index (BMI) of 26 to 27 in the last ten years. That’s equivalent to about half a stone (7 lbs) for every person”. This is worrying as anyone who has a BMI above 25 is medically considered overweight, whilst over 30 is the medical definition of obese.
Signs that the people are getting heavier are increasing. For example in the UK, ambulances and hospital beds are being strengthened as patients are becoming increasingly large. Even coffins are being made in larger sizes.
So how does this affect global warming? Firstly, over-consumption is a problem. According to Dr Edwards, food production accounts for about 20% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Meat, in particular, is a problem as it takes more resources to produce than plants, thereby emitting more greenhouse gases. Cows are also well known for their particular contribution to CO2 emissions. “ World demand for meat is increasing to match that of Britain and America”, says Dr Edwards.
Secondly, the fatter we are, the more likely we are to drive rather than walk or cycle for short journeys. Again this creates more greenhouse gases.
Thirdly, it takes more fuel to transport heavier people. It’s estimated that 40% of Americans are obese with 300 million worldwide. Take flying as an example. United Airlines has recently sparked controversy in the US for requiring obese people to buy two seats on busy routes.
Carrie Padian, president of the Fat Rights Coalition complained that airline seats are too small and that “ if United really cared about the comfort of their passengers, they would order planes with more space for everyone”.
But flying efficiently as possible and reducing the environmental effects are all about maximizing load factors for a given weight. The fewer passengers on a flight, the higher the CO2 emissions per passenger, contributing even more to global warming.
Most of us need to lose weight (this writer included), so perhaps the environmental impact of being overweight is another incentive to lose the inches.
