The Daily Stat: Why Rising Gas Prices Make Us Thinner

Are you having trouble viewing this email? If so, click here to see it in a web browser. HOME   |   BLOGS   |   THE MAGAZINE   |   BOOKS   |   AUTHORS   |   STORE RSS   |   Mobile AUGUST 1, 2011 Why Rising Gas Prices Make Us Thinner A $1 increase in gasoline prices over a 7-year period would reduce obesity in the U.S. by 10%, according to a study by Charles Courtemanche of the University of North Carolina that found evidence of a negative association between gas prices and body weight. Gas-price increases are associated with additional walking and a reduction in the frequency with which people eat at restaurants. Courtemanche estimates that 8% of the rise in obesity between 1979 and 2004 can be attributed to a drop in real gas prices at the time. Source: A Silver Lining? The Connection Between Gasoline Prices and Obesity Share Today's Stat: FEATURED PRODUCT Fleet Oil Company: An Exercise Case Study The exercise, which adapts a famous experiment by experimental psychologist Thomas Gilovich, is designed to show both the ubiquity of analogy or associative thinking more generally and its potential perils. ADVERTISEMENT Follow the Stat: BEST SELLERS HBR's 10 Must Reads: The Essentials HBR's Must Reads Library Set Guide to Persuasive Presentations Guide to Better Business Writing Guide to Getting the Right Work Done PREVIOUS STATS Schooling Increases Your IQ Year by Year For Successful Artists, It Matters When You Die Rich Parents Withhold Asset Details from Kids Gas Is More Expensive in Poor Neighborhoods People Born in Economic Booms Live Longer China Exempts More from Taxes to Ease Income Gap Many Waitstaffers Say Tips Don't Reward Service Where Your Buttons Come From 96 Minutes of Daily Interruptions Aging of Government Workers Is a Boon for Youth Free HBR Interactive issue Download the iPad app HBR Reads, and get your issue with audio and video interviews and multimedia slideshows. Learn more » UNSUBSCRIBE   |   UPDATE YOUR PROFILE   |   MORE EMAIL NEWSLETTERS   |   PRIVACY POLICY Was this email forwarded to you? If so, sign up to start receiving your own copy. ABOUT THIS MAILING LIST You have received this message because you subscribed to the "The Daily Stat" email newsletter from Harvard Business Review. If at any point you wish to remove yourself from this list, change your email address, or sign up for other email newsletters and alerts, please visit the Harvard Business Review Email Newsletter Preference Center. OPT OUT If you do not wish to receive any email messages from Harvard Business Review, click here. ADVERTISE WITH HBR This enewsletter is read by thousands of decision makers every day. Learn more about connecting your brand with this audience. Copyright © 2011 Harvard Business School Publishing, an affiliate of Harvard Business School. All rights reserved. Harvard Business Publishing | 60 Harvard Way | Boston, MA 02163 Customer Service: 800-545-7685 (+1-617-783-7600 outside the U.S. and Canada)