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TechnographUI study links obesity, gas usage
Study says obesity causes increase in fuel consumption
By Jonathan Wroble
Posted: 11/1/06 Section: News
Americans are using nearly one billion more gallons of gasoline today than in 1960, and the reason is sitting right behind the steering wheel.
According to a University study, this significant increase in annual fuel consumption is due to weight gain in both men and women over the last four decades.
Since 1960, the average man has gained 25 pounds and now weighs 191 pounds. The average woman is up 24 pounds to a weight of 164.
"If we weighed as much as we did in 1960, we'd have consumed 938 million fewer gallons of fuel per year," said Sheldon Jacobson, professor of computer science and co-author of the study.
Jacobson explained that the study does little more than put a figure on common sense.
"We quantified what everyone intuitively understands," he said. "If you put more weight in a car, it requires more fuel to move your car around."
Jacobson's partner in research was Laura McLay, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who at the time was Jacobson's graduate student. In late fall of 2005, Jacobson and McLay examined government data, including 2003 statistics on the amount of gas used, the number of miles driven, and the average number of people in a car. The results, while somewhat expected, were nevertheless startling to the researchers.
"We were both surprised that we use so much fuel just as a result of the weight we've put on," McLay said.
Her and Jacobson also agreed that the study does not aim to promote weight loss.
"It's not our intention to change anyone's behavior," Jacobson said.
McLay clarified the real goal of the research.
"We're just trying to raise awareness," she said. "There are many results of obesity."
Jacobson started the research because of rising gas prices were costing Americans an extra $2.8 billion per year. Each extra pound of body weight in a car is responsible for 39 million more gallons of fuel usage annually, which translates into almost $120 million spent per pound.
According to a University study, this significant increase in annual fuel consumption is due to weight gain in both men and women over the last four decades.
Since 1960, the average man has gained 25 pounds and now weighs 191 pounds. The average woman is up 24 pounds to a weight of 164.
"If we weighed as much as we did in 1960, we'd have consumed 938 million fewer gallons of fuel per year," said Sheldon Jacobson, professor of computer science and co-author of the study.
Jacobson explained that the study does little more than put a figure on common sense.
"We quantified what everyone intuitively understands," he said. "If you put more weight in a car, it requires more fuel to move your car around."
Jacobson's partner in research was Laura McLay, an assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University who at the time was Jacobson's graduate student. In late fall of 2005, Jacobson and McLay examined government data, including 2003 statistics on the amount of gas used, the number of miles driven, and the average number of people in a car. The results, while somewhat expected, were nevertheless startling to the researchers.
"We were both surprised that we use so much fuel just as a result of the weight we've put on," McLay said.
Her and Jacobson also agreed that the study does not aim to promote weight loss.
"It's not our intention to change anyone's behavior," Jacobson said.
McLay clarified the real goal of the research.
"We're just trying to raise awareness," she said. "There are many results of obesity."
Jacobson started the research because of rising gas prices were costing Americans an extra $2.8 billion per year. Each extra pound of body weight in a car is responsible for 39 million more gallons of fuel usage annually, which translates into almost $120 million spent per pound.
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