Riddle me this: How is obesity contributing to global warming?

Answer 1

Obese peeps consume more resources (else they couldn't remain obese. Unless of course they are obese due to some genetic disease, but that's another story). Consumption of resources requires use of fossil fuels to collect and transport these resources. Thus: global warming. It comes as no surprise then, that the US is one of, if not the, primary contributors to climate change.

Also, obese people are more likely to drive short distances (say, to the corner grocery) than healthy people.

Answer 2

Several people have mentioned that obese people tend to use more resources (excepting medical conditions). This is certainly true in relation to the amount of food eaten, the agricultural industry is one of the largest contributors to global warming so the more food a person eats the greater their related carbon footprint.

Maybe obese people tend to drive more than they walk, if so this will also be a contributory factor.

The primary factors contributing to obesity are lack of exercise and poor diet. Both contribute to the lowering of the body's metabolic rate and a body with a low basal metabolism has to work harder in order to perform basic physiological functions.

In this respect, although Volksfox (second answer) said she was just kidding in respect of obese people breathing more she is actually quite correct. The greater a person's body mass the more oxygen they need and the more they respire. In an average person respiration produces 800g of CO2 per day, in the US (the most obese nation on the planet), the average is 900g a day.

Answer 3

By consuming an excessive amount of food, they use an excessive amount of resources that are required to grow, process, and transport that food. Also, not only are they more likely to drive than walk, increased weight in a vehicle decreases that vehicles fuel efficiency. Global warming or no global warming, the increasing trend of obesity in the united states is an environmental, social, economic, and health care disaster.

Answer 4

It's not, actually. They are effectively "carbon sinks", holding more carbon than many young trees.

Where they do contribute most to global warming is in the added cost of health care. But then, the same thing could be said of cigarette smokers, alcohol and drug users, and sexually promiscuous people.

Sounds like the Global Warming police need to crack down on ALL vices!!!

Answer 5

It is a representation of overconsumption that most people accept, a stereotype. But it has nothing to do with global warming. Thin people cause just as much environmental damage as fat people, probably more.

Answer 6

Obesity is the cause of global warming. Haven't you noticed how fat people sweat all the time. They should pass a law that requires that they be iced down several times a day.

Answer 7

obesity can be caused by eating too many burgers which means more cows are needed.the more cows the more flactulants (farts) which is a massive contributer to global warming look it up

Answer 8

Resources including fuel are used to produce and transport food. more food being consume equals more food being produced which means more resources being used.

Answer 9

because fat people are too lazy to walk to work, or walk to the bus stop, so they take their cars...
my science teacher from freshman year told me that he doesnt believe in global warming..i think ill believe him now.

Answer 10

because fat people use cars more than bikes or walk places