Chicago, IL (WFN) -- If you've got too much junk in the trunk, you're likely to be paying for it at the pump: The fat, sausage-fingers of the obesity crisis are dipping into the wallets of motorists who are packing on the pounds.

Oil and gas expert Howard Simons, a former economics professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology, claims it's a matter of simple physics.

Simons says as body mass increases, the force required to move the fat bodies must increase. For example, a two percent increase in mass would require a two percent increase of fuel.

Dan Kahn, Road Test Editor at the Edmunds.com car buying guide agrees, saying his numbers show that motorists driving 2004 model cars on average pay $1,310 annually in gas. His data shows that each additional 100 pounds being pulled around will cost those drivers $13 more a year.

The cost may not seem like a lot, but Kahn says older models may fair worse, and that a family of obese passengers can pile up the petroleum charges pretty quickly.

Appease an angry Great Volcano by winning 10 Tribal Challenges in SKIP-BO Castaway Caper! Take advantage of this incredible bargain and get two hit puzzle games for one low price!

More Weird News From 2004-11-09 The day's offbeat stories from around the world. • Wide-Awake Face Lifts On The Rise • Around The Weird: Bizarre News Briefs • Flash Lites: Rip 'N' Read Pop Culture Recap • Rare Ray Charles Recordings Released After 53 Years • Great Baseball Hitters Have Great John Hancocks • 'Survivor' Lex: Proud To Be A Punk Rock Parent • Karl Malden: 'I'm Not Retired -- I Quit!' • Presidents Of The United States Of America Electing Not To Work So Hard • Dennis DeYoung 'Styx' It To Heather Locklear • Johnny Ramone's Wall Collection Up For Sale • Fat Americans Get Gouged The Most At The Pump • Submit Your News Tips   « Current Weird News Stories