We take in carbohydrates, by eating them. These are burnt to provide energy that we can use to run, play and work. In the process, the carbon is oxidised to produce carbon dioxide. This is called respiration, common to all living organisms (OK, there are a few peculiarities, but virtually all).

If we do not burn off the carbohydrates we store the carbon as fat. The human race should be run faster. Many humans are eating too much and/or not exercising enough. While nearly a billion people go hungry, another billion people are overweight - either fat or obese. 150,000 people per year in UK are expected to die prematurely due to obesity related disorders.

As fat is about 3/4 carbon, this means US citizens 'sequestered' nearly3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide about their person - and emit about 1500 mt in total. More on calculation from New Scientist. More Carbon Counting Conundrums

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