SSS 2012-04-30

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Obese¹ people have higher risks for diabetes², heart disease, arthritis—and injuries in car accidents? Yes, in part because they’re far less likely to wear a seat belt. That’s the finding of a study out of the University of Buffalo³ that will be presented at an upcoming meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine in Chicago.

 

The researchers analyzed⁴ data in the national Fatality⁵ Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The study included a third-of-a-million drivers involved in fatal crashes. Two years ago, the research group found that morbidly⁶ obese people were 56 percent more likely to die in a car crash than normal-weight car occupants. The new study revealed that drivers of normal weight are 67 percent more likely to wear a seat belt than are obese drivers—which could account for at least part of the increased death risk.

 

The researchers hypothesize that overweight people find belts uncomfortable and difficult to buckle⁷. A weight-loss program can address the problem in the long run. An inexpensive seat belt extension can solve it today.

 

Thanks for the minute for Scientific American 60 Second Science, I am Steve Mirsky.

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