Weight, Health, and the Planet

Being slim and fit definitely has its perks. Your clothes fit better, you feel energized and healthy, but if someone told you that you could help the environment by putting down that super sized burger and fries, you may react like I did “huh?” How could me indulging in this delicious burger possibly harm the environment?” How does weight, health, and the planet correlate together in our everyday lives?

Well as you may know food production is a main contributing factor to global warming. In Vietnam, the population consumes 20% less food and therefore produce less greenhouse gases compared to the UK which has a 40% obesity rate and the US trailing very close behind at 32%.

Not only that but transportation-related emissions will be lower because it takes less energy to transport slim people. Just think if every American were at a healthy weight how much less emissions would pollute the air.

Studies show that in many countries around the world the average body mass index (BMI) is rising. That includes Australian, Argentinian, Belgian, and Canadian to name a few. Basically the world is getting bigger.

An author from the International Journal of Epidemiology said it well “When it comes to food consumption, moving about in a heavy body is like driving around in a gas guzzler. The heavier our bodies become the harder and more unpleasant it is to move about in them and the more dependent we become on our cars.”

So being healthy doesn’t just do our bodies good but also the environment. I can admit that eating right and exercising can be hard to do at times and it does take dedication, but think about all the positive things that can come out of it. Reducing emissions and living a longer healthier life!

Thoughts, Comments, Questions…

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JT (423 Posts)

Just living life in Portland, Oregon and enjoying every day that goes by. I love the environment, and I love community, and I love being able to share my experiences and perspective with the world. Follow @EnvironmentBlog

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