Amidst all the hue and cry about Britian becoming Europe's fattest nation, one effect stood out: the wear and tear on pallbearers.

The Evening Standard reported that the soaring obesity rate is giving pallbearers a backache.

Increasingly, funeral directors are having to use trolleys and lifting equipment instead of professional pallbearers and family mourners.

With coffins going up in size, some funeral directors say they are now forced to ask mourners to sign a disclaimer before carrying a casket.

Definitely brings obesity home as a heavy burden, huh?

-- Amanda Barrett, amNY.com