Some researchers are saying that, yes, the obesity epidemic may increase the effects of global warming because a population of heavier people increases transportation and food production costs. As travelers become heavier, it takes more fuel to move them, which increases fossil fuel consumption.
In the article, researchers note that a population with 40 percent obese people requires 19 percent more food energy for its total energy expenditure than a population with 3.5 percent obese people. A 19 percent increase in food consumption equals an increase of 270 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
The problem isn’t just in America either. Body Mass Indexes around the world are increasing. According to the article, more than 1 billion adults worldwide are overweight, and about 300 million are overweight.