Walk, don't drive, it's good for our economy

Everyone knows a big car consumes more gas because it weighs more. Naturally, obese people travelling in cars will also increase fuel consumption.

In my practice, one child in five is over weight. About one-third of U.S adults are obese. How much more gas is expended because of obesity? Does losing weight save gas and money? If so how much? These are very interesting questions.

Over the years, the gasoline usage has increased. Currently, United States consumes about 25% of world’s oil production. Out of this, transportation section uses 66%. It is interesting to note the increased obesity problem paralleled the raise in gas consumption.

A study in California by Lopez-Zerina and others showed the occurrence of obesity was higher in people who travelled more in the automobiles. Statistics show that between 1960 and 2002, because of weight increase in passengers, cars and light trucks have consumed, on average, 938 million additional gallons of fuel each year (Jacobson and Mc Lay, 2006).

In the study, the scientists have made adjustments for the car’s weight, weight of children in the car and other variables. Jacobson and King in 2008 analyzed data from 2002 onward and found that we have used an extra 182 -199 million gallons more per year than he and Mc Lay had described in an earlier study, again due to increased number of obese travelers. Overall, the scientists documented 1.137 billion additional gallons of gasoline consumption due to obesity from 1960 to 2008.

We do not have current statistics on annual extra fuel usage due to obesity. I guess it is between 22 to 25 million gallons. This amounts to an expenditure of 88 to 100 million dollars per year ($4 a gallon) on gasoline. If we can cut down the weight problem, we can potentially save that much money.

To reduce fuel consumption and help lose weight, a few cities have come up with pedestrian-friendly city planning. In King County, Wash., professor Lawrence Frank and others have found that automobile use and obesity incidence were low in areas where walking was encouraged. In Atlanta, professor Frank analyzed data collected on parameters such as, weight, BMIs and topography of the land near residential areas. Professor Frank’s findings show that for every hour people spend in the car, they are 6% more likely to be obese. If they walk half a mile daily, they are 5% less likely to be obese. If people live where there are shops and services nearby, they are 7% less likely to be obese because they walk to these service areas.

I feel City planners should consider these facts before issuing permits for new homes and shops to create pedestrian-friendly environment. There should be adequate sidewalks and enough bicycle lanes.      

Losing weight is good for our health and economy. Incidence of diabetes, high blood pressure, strokes and heart attacks will diminish. Costly medical expenses in treating the above diseases and their complications will also lessen. If losing weight saves money by reducing fuel consumption as well, it is icing on the cake. So, walk using pedal power, quit using gas-pedal power.

 
Dr. Rao practices pediatrics at Sequoia Medical center and is an author of two books.