Scientists warned that the increase in big-eaters means more food production — a major cause of CO2 gas emissions warming the planet. Overweight people are also more likely to drive, adding to environmental damage.
Dr Phil Edwards, of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said: “Moving about in a heavy body is like driving in a gas guzzler.”
Each fat person is said to be responsible for emitting a tonne more of climate-warming carbon dioxide per year than a thin one.
It means an extra BILLION TONNES of CO2 a year is created, according to World Health Organisation estimates of overweight people.
The scientists say providing extra grub for them to guzzle adds to carbon emissions that heat up the world, melting polar ice caps, raising sea levels and killing rain forests.
The environmental impact of fat humans is made even worse because they are more likely to travel by car — another major cause of carbon emissions.
Battle
And researchers at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine say wealthy nations like the US and Britain are getting fatter by the decade.
Dr Phil Edwards said: “Food production accounts for about one fifth of greenhouse gases.
“We need to do a lot more to reverse the global trend towards fatness. It is a key factor in the battle to reduce carbon emissions and slow climate change.
“It is time we took account of the amount we are eating.
“This is about over-consumption by the wealthy countries. And the world demand for meat is increasing to match that of Britain and America.
“It is also much easier to get in your car and pick up a pint of milk than to take a walk.”
The study by Dr Edwards and colleague Ian Roberts is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Dr Edwards went on: “We are not just pointing the finger at fat people. All populations are getting fatter and it has an impact on the environment.
“UK health surveys estimate fatness has increased from an average body mass index of 26 to 27 in the last ten years.
“That’s equivalent to about half a stone for every person.”
Anyone with a BMI above 25 is overweight, while more than 30 is obese.
A staggering 40 per cent of Americans are obese, among 300 million worldwide.
Disasters
Australian Professor Paul Zimmet predicted a disastrous obesity pandemic back in 2006.
And Oxfam warned yesterday that the number of people hit by climate-related disasters will soar by more than half in the next six years to 375million.
The impact of more storms, floods and droughts could overwhelm aid organisations.
Sun doctor Carol Cooper said last night: “I’m not sure which came first, people getting fat and driving or the other way around. It is true fat people eat more food than average.
“A few obese people have a hormone problem, although most simply don’t use enough calories and eat too many. But making them feel guilty antagonises them and may not help.”