Staying slim will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, because heavier people tend to use vehicles more.
The heavier that people’s bodies become, the harder and more unpleasant it is for them to move about. So they become more dependent on vehicles.
In addition, higher demand for food puts pressure on the transport system.
Staying slim “is good for health and for the environment,” the researchers concluded.
“We need to be doing a lot more to reverse the global trend towards fatness, and recognize it as a key factor in the battle to reduce emissions and slow climate change.”
People are generally becoming heavier worldwide - a worrisome trend because of associated health risks such as Type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease.
Almost two-thirds of Canadian adults are deemed overweight and almost one-quarter obese, according to Obesity Canada, a non-profit organization. Among children, one in four is considered overweight and one in 10 obese.