Will Future Cars Be Designed to Protect Fat Drivers?

In a recent study funded in part by the Federal Highway Administration, researchers have discovered that overweight folks have a greater risk of being killed in a automobile crash. Data collected compared statistics gathered from two groups; one group of normal-weight drivers and the other group of moderately or morbidly obese drivers. The heavier drivers experienced a 56 percent higher mortality rate in severe car crashes.

Dietrich Jehle, MD, professor of emergency medicine at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, the first author on the study stated, "The severity and patterns of crash complex interaction of biomechanical factors, including deceleration velocity at impact, seat belt and air bag use, vehicle type and weight, and type of impact,"

"The severity and patterns of crash injuries depend on a complex interaction of biomechanical factors, including deceleration velocity at impact, seat belt and air bag use, vehicle type and weight, and type of impact," says Jehle, "The effect of body mass on crash outcome has not been previously evaluated in databases of adequate size or controlled for some of these confounding factors."

Rising Obesity Rate May Affect Future Vehicle Designs

Because more and more people are becoming overweight or obese every year, some researchers contend that car designs of the future must be modified to include special protection for obese drivers and passengers. One problem is with crash test dummies which provide critical information on how a normal weight body reacts in an auto crash. Normal weight crash test dummies react differently than a heavier crash test dummy would react in a severe crash. This research seems to suggest that heavier crash test dummies could provide invaluable information. This information will be used to design cars that could decrease the risk to future overweight drivers.

Overweight or obese people already face a large number of health challenges including diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, and stroke. According to this study, overweight or obese folks now face another health risk of dying in a severe car wreck. Folks who are just slightly overweight have been found to be at a lower risk of death in a severe accident. If that's not enough motivation to start a weight loss program right away, I don't know what is.

New Reasons to Start Losing Weight Today

This study only shows the depth of this problem and profound effect that overweight or obese people are having on society as a whole. WebMD refers to the current obesity epidemic as the biggest health story of the year and says the prognosis is bad and only getting worse. But it's also important not to get depressed or down about your own personal weight loss problem.
What is important is recognizing that obesity is a health problem and needs to be dealt with immediately. Stick to the usual advice of eating nutritional food that is low in fat and get plenty of regular exercise.

Sources:

Obesity Increases Risk of Death in Severe Vehicle Crashes, Study Shows

Obesity Epidemic "Astronomical"

Obesity and Risk for Death Due to Motor Vehicle Crashes