Beyond the obvious health implications associated with obesity, scientists have concluded that all this excess weight results in a drastic increase in American’s gasoline usage, to the tune of 39 million gallons per year. This study, to appear in the upcoming issue of The Engineering Economist , stemmed from Professor Sheldon H. Jacobson’s (Virginia Commonwealth University) desire to
“quantify the effect of being overweight on fuel consumption. “
Using publicly available data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Jackson determined that the average American had increased their weight by more than 24 pounds between the period of 1960 to 2002. After examining three scenarios to account for both larger drivers and passengers, as well as number of people in the vehicle and their age, Johnson concluded that approximately 938 million gallons of gasoline annually can be attributed to this increase in weight. Based on current driving habits this amounts to
“nearly three times the total amount of fuel consumed by all passenger vehicles each day…”
I’m guessing that this research article has completely obliterated the original research conclusions. I consider myself an average 46-year-old American. Yet, if I was born in 1960 and had gained just 24 pounds to my 42nd birthday, I would hardly be deemed “avarage.” Your terms had better be more adequately explained.
Read an article written by Steve Polzin of University of South Florida
http://www.planetizen.com/node/21701
Vic,
I think you might be interpreting the text incorrectly. By saying that the average American gained 24 pounds from 1960 to 2002, it means the average weight of everyone alive and walking the earth as of those dates, not one person specifically. It is meant to say that across the board the average person is bigger today than in 1960 – i.e. an average 20 year old. Hope this helps.