I have always struggled with my weight, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Despite my best efforts, and being on pretty much any sports team that would have me, I’ve always been a big boy. Doesn’t bother me in the least, because for once in my life, I am in the majority. Most Americans are overweight. It’s a fact, and it is directly related to many health problems in our country.
Turns out it may also be costing us extra money as the gas pump. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) just released a study that says all that extra weight Americans like me have packed on have directly effected fuel efficiency.
I’ve said it many times before that the easiest way to get better gas mileage is for cars to shed weight. Apparently, that goes for people as well. The CDC estimates that every year, an extra 1 billion gallons of fuel are wasted compared with 1960 to lug our big butts around. I’m not quite sure how they drew that distinction as many cars from 1960 were getting between 10 and 15 mpg, but the study seems to suggest that bigger Americans buy bigger cars. Maybe that is why so many people drive pickups and SUV’s?
Really though, this all goes back to how dependent Americans are on their cars. 20 years ago, most cars didn’t have cup holders, but these days it is a cardinal sin not to include them. The more driving we do, the less we walk, bike, or do other physical activities. It’s a rather vicious cycle when you get right down to it. And as much as I love driving, I feel like cutting back on short trips and maybe even buying a bicycle (gasp!) might save me a few bucks at the gas pump in the long run… not to mention a few pounds.
Source: Consumer Reports | Image: Erwin Wurm
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About Christopher DeMorro
I think the car makers need to be a little more imaginative with their ergonomics. I drive a Mercury Montego because i am one such heavy american and also because I am 6’6″. I’d drive a smaller car if it were comfortable for my daily 45 minute commute but, while shopping, I found a drout of small cars that could accomodate me.
There is a market out there for subcompact and compact cars that fit larger Americans but such roominess for the driver only seems to only come with a truck bed, large cargo areas or seating for 5+.
I know more attention by the designers to shoulder room in relation to the B-pillar would have made many smaller cars a better option. Narrower center consoles(or console deletes}, seat tracks that angle away from the door as the go back, and maybe even asymetrical interiors could help larger drivers make use of smaller cars.
I think the car makers need to be a little more imaginative with their ergonomics. I drive a Mercury Montego because i am one such heavy american and also because I am 6’6″. I’d drive a smaller car if it were comfortable for my daily 45 minute commute but, while shopping, I found a drout of small cars that could accomodate me.
There is a market out there for subcompact and compact cars that fit larger Americans but such roominess for the driver only seems to only come with a truck bed, large cargo areas or seating for 5+.
I know more attention by the designers to shoulder room in relation to the B-pillar would have made many smaller cars a better option. Narrower center consoles(or console deletes}, seat tracks that angle away from the door as the go back, and maybe even asymetrical interiors could help larger drivers make use of smaller cars.
Maybe you should all just loose some weight!!!!
Maybe you should all just loose some weight!!!!