5 Comments

We use more gas because we’re fatter

October 26, 2006 by in Random with 5 Comments

There are few geniuses out there. According to results from a recent “study”, heavier people use more gasoline [via].

Here’s another thing to blame on Americans’ expanding waistlines: We’re using more gasoline. That’s the conclusion of a study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, which says that 938 million more gallons of gasoline go into vehicles annually because drivers and passengers are considerably heavier today than in 1960.

Maybe there should be a study that informs people that if they grow wings, they’ll have the ability to fly? I think the real reason to blame for increased gasoline usage would be something a little more realistic and easier to swallow. Maybe gas guzzling SUVs, recreational families, etc.


  • http://edsmiley.com Ed

    Factually it is correct, but come on. I agree that the difference will be insignificant in the big picture. I bet we make up the difference with smaller families compared to the 1960′s. According to this link:

    http://nhts.ornl.gov/2001/presentations/commuting/index.shtml

    In 1960 the average persons per household was 3.4, in 2000 it was 2.7. However, the average vehicles per household was 1.0 in 1960 compared to 1.7 in 2000.

    The point of my post is that all of these little things like this are insignificant. We do have bigger vehicles, but I assume that they should be a little more efficient in gas usage compared to 1960. It all cancels out.

  • Suzuka

    It’s true that the heavier the car, the more gas it will use, but even if your 200-170 pounds, I really don’t think there will be a huge difference maybe .001 gallon will be wasted on the extra weight

  • http://5thirtyone.com Derek

    Hence the small blurb in the article (comment) by someone stating that the savings would only be 1%. I think studies like this could have been better invested elsewhere. This was on the front page of the Seattle Time / ergh PI today which I noticed on the way to downtown. Ridiculous. Not that it will turn any heads other than the sensationalists touting overweight Americans are the cause of increasing gas usage.

  • sanya

    maybe, just maybe we use more gas because the average american takes at least 2 trips a day to munch at the nearest fast food joint.

  • http://myspace.com/derangedminion Ryan

    Do they use more gas cause their fat ass is sitting at a fast food drive through?

Privacy Policy | About Us | Contact Us | Write for us