As the study shows, Americans' expanding waistlines are also putting a huge strain on America's health care system.

BBC: NEWS | Americas | Obesity cost US $75bn, says study

It has been clear for years that the ageing population will put huge strain on both Medicare and Medicaid, yet nothing has been done.

ECONOMIST: Medicaid reform

Because of a seniority-based pay system, this puts a huge strain on business costs, leaving less money to provide young people with training and good jobs.

ECONOMIST: Into the unknown

It is a huge strain on a lot of people.

WHITEHOUSE: Controlling Gas Prices and Creating New Jobs

The 33% currency devaluation - although widely recommended by economists - has put huge strain on the treasury, and on many ordinary Malawians, as the price of imported goods has soared.

BBC: UK call to aid Malawi's economy

Given European banks' extensive exposures across the Atlantic, and given the political pressure on them to deleverage anywhere but in their domestic market, the temptation for the banks to liquidate in the U.S. and let the American economy take the strain is huge.

WSJ: Central Banks' Action

While the community - which observes a strict rule of silence for 12 hours every night - does not need huge profit, extensive repairs to the monastery has recently put additional strain on the purse strings.

BBC: Monks go online to boost perfume sales

The Exxon CEO conceded that high gasoline prices "have put a strain on Americans' household budgets, " but nonetheless defended his firm's huge profit, explaining that petroleum earnings "go up and down" from year to year.

FORBES: Senate Grills Exxon's Raymond, Other Oil CEOs