Weight Gain means lower gas mileage

Want to spend less at the pump? Lose some weight. That's the implication of a new study that says Americans are burning nearly 1 billion more gallons of gasoline each year than they did in 1960 because of their expanding waistline. Simply put, more weight in the car means lower gas mileage.

The same effect has been seen in airplanes. Research found that heavy fliers have contributed to higher fuel costs for airlines.

The obesity rate among U.S. adults has doubled from 1987 to 2003, from about 15% to more than 30%.

Eating less, driving less and choosing more active means of transportation would reduce gas consumption, and also help reverse rising obesity rates.

Source: Associated Press

Liquid Calories on the Rise and Raising Health Concerns

Once constituting a mere 2%-4% of America's total calories, our average beverage intake now accounts for nearly 21% of the total, an all-time high. As Americans continue to drink more of their calories, concern arises surrounding the health implications of this trend. Because sweetened beverages, such as soft or fruit flavored drinks, tend to be nutrient poor and energy dense from their generous sugar content, health experts worry that there will be a corresponding rise in the rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and other health risks.

It wasn't always this way. Back in 1977, the size of the average soft drink was about 13.1 fluid ounces; today's typical beverage weighs in at a whopping 19.9 fluid ounces.

(IDEA Fitness Journal, Oct. 2006)