Car Crashes Can Be More Deadly for Obese Drivers

Study points to prior disease, poor car designs

Obesity increases the risk of death during car crashes, a new study suggests. Upon analyzing information from 3,400 pairs of drivers between 1996 and 2008, the findings show that obese drivers (those with a body mass index between 30 and 35) were 20 percent more likely to die during a car crash compared to normal-weight individuals. And morbidly obese drivers (those with a BMI of 40 and above) were 80 percent more likely to die in a car crash. Researchers point to obese people being more likely to have medical conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, as a reason for their risk increase. Also they suggest that changes in car design may be necessary to better protect obese drivers. The study's results held even after the researchers accounted for factors that could influence the risk of death in a car crash, such as age, alcohol use, seat belt use, and whether or not the air bag deployed. (NBC News)

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