Heavy Passengers Weigh On Airlines' Bottom Lines
Key points
- America's bulging waistlines are now weighing down the airline industry, as it takes more and more fuel to get planes in the air.
- A report from the Centers for Disease Control says in the year 2000, airlines had to spend an extra $275 million on fuel in order to carry the extra weight of passengers.
- The government agency said it's highlighting the problem in hopes that people realize the obesity epidemic has many serious consequences.
- The average weight of Americans rose by 10 pounds in the 1990s.
America's bulging waistlines are now weighing down the airline industry, as it takes more and more fuel to get planes in the air.
A report from the Centers for Disease Control says in the year 2000, airlines had to spend an extra $275 million on fuel in order to carry the extra weight of passengers.
The government agency said it's highlighting the problem in hopes that people realize the obesity epidemic has many serious consequences.
The average weight of Americans rose by 10 pounds in the 1990s. For airlines, that's meant tons of extra weight and fuel.
The carriers say they've already cut down on other types of weight - tossing thick magazines and moving from metal forks to plastic ones.
Written and revised by
David Cohen, M.D.
Our doctors write and review articles for accuracy and keep them up to date.
health.am provides general information, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified health professional about your own health.
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