Climate Change Might Make You Fat (With Asterisks)

New research indicates we consume more sugary 
drinks and food when it gets hotter. Essentially,
climate change could make us fat. 

A recent Washington Post article in effect said that climate change could make you fat.

They didn't really come out and say it like that, but the reporters cited research that says higher temperatures inspire more purchases of sugary drinks and ice cream. 

Since climate change is making a given day more likely to really heat up, chances are we'll increasingly gorge ourselves on Coca-Cola and Ben & Jerry's. 

Researchers studied 16 years of U.S, dietary habits between 2004 and 2019 found that as temperatures rise, consumption of sugary drinks and frozen desserts go up in tandem. 

Reports WaPo:

"Based on their understanding of the relationship between temperature and sugar, the researchers projected that under one of the worst-case scenarios for climate change, Americans could be expected to eat an extra three grams of sugar or so per day by 2095. The effort to stay hydrated and cool down could exacerbate the nation's risk of disease associated with excessive sugar consumption, the scientists said."

Except when it gets really hot. People eat and drink more sugary treats as the temperature climbs from the 50s all the way to the mid and upper 80s. 

More specifically, for every 1.8 degrees Fahrenheit increase in temperate, added sugar consumption in U.S. households goes up by 0.7 per person per day. The escalation accelerates between temperatures of 68 and 86 degrees, reports CNN. 

After that, the effect levels off. Once it gets into the 90s, it gets too hot to eat. We lose our appetites. Even if somebody waves an ice cream cone in front of us. 

As with almost everything else in America, there's a class and economic status slant to this story. WaPo again:

"The effect appeared to be the most pronounced among Americans with low income and educational levels, as well as among those in milder regions unacclimated to the heat. While the amount of extra sugar consumed is small - less than a gram per degree - the cumulative effect of all that added sugar due to rising temperatures may end up increasing the overall risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and cancer."

Water should be the go-to in hot weather. But in many low income neighborhoods, it's hard to find tap water free of lead or dangerous chemicals. 

The researcher focused their work on the United States. Next up: Studying weather the same thing happens in Asia.