Obesity increases the risk of death in road accidents

• May 8, 2024

A study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal suggests that another consequence of obesity is the increased risk of death in road accidents.

In the investigation of universities of California and West Virginia It is detailed that individuals who suffer from obesity are more likely to die in a car accident.

The researchers analyzed the data on 41 thousand 283 accidents registered in the Fatality Analysis Reporting System, administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration , with similar cars.

In addition, they compared the height, weight, body mass index (BMI) of the people involved in the accidents, the use of the safety belt, the time, the sex of the driver, the deployment of the airbags and the type of collision .

Drivers with a BMI less than 18 and those between 25 and 29.9 had similar mortality rates as people of normal weight, according to the researchers.

However, a BMI of 30 to 34.9 was related to a 21% increase in the risk of death, and a number between 35 and 39.9 to an increase of 51%. Meanwhile, drivers with a BMI above 40 were 81% more likely to die.

In information published by the blog Well, from the New York Times , some of the reasons for the increased risk of death are the design of the vehicle and the health status of people with obesity.

Even the body of people suffering from obesity moves more quickly to the front, which prevents the correct functioning of the safety belt. Therefore, it is essential to take care of our health and maintain a healthy weight. And you, how do you prevent obesity?
 

Video Medicine: Weighing the Facts of Obesity (May 2024).