According to the BBC, “experts” have said that obese people are contributing the world food crisis, climate change, and even the price of gas. Obese people obviously eat more on average than a normal person, nearly 20% more. This higher consumption of food results in an increased demand, driving up food production that requires oil and gas to meet demand. As the demand for food increases, both the price of food and fuel rise, hampering the ability of the poor to afford food and gas. We don’t know if guilt-tripping obese people will help them lose weight, but we do like the ideas presented in the article to remedy the issue.

The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine have at least come up with a solution to the problem. They believe that urban transportation policies that promote walking and cycling would both help reduce demand for oil and help people lose weight. Many cities throughout the United States have already implemented plans with similar aims.

More usage of public transportation could also help drive down the cost of gas as less people drive their vehicles. Reduced gas costs would actually help curb rising food costs too, as it’s essential in producing and transporting food.

Obesity is a problem throughout the Western world, as computers and convenience combined with fast food and microwave dinners have producing a growing “body” of heavier folks. Dr. David Haslam, of the National Obesity Forum, pointed out that climate change and rising food costs have more complex causes than just an increasing level of obesity in the world. But it isn’t helping. I guess this is another good reason to lose weight: longer life, better life, and saving the world.

Of course, all these things have been said before or are simply obvious. Really, obesity will probably remain a problem in society and will probably grow as it becomes more socially and culturally acceptable, in spite of the dangers to the person and society as a whole. Drastic changes would need to be implemented to stem the tide, and we don’t see it happening. Hopefully we are proven wrong.

[BBC]

• Overweight inmate suing jail for not feeding him enough
• City mayor thinks teaming up with fast food chain is the best way to get people to lose weight
• Think $4 a gallon of gas is bad? Well get ready for $10 a gallon
• Video: “Food Fight” – War in food
• Brothels also feeling the gas price pinch