Salon.com > BMI http://www.salon.com Sun, 19 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Study: Car crashes are more deadly for obese drivers http://www.salon.com/2013/01/23/study_car_crashes_are_more_deadly_for_obese_drivers/ http://www.salon.com/2013/01/23/study_car_crashes_are_more_deadly_for_obese_drivers/#comments Wed, 23 Jan 2013 15:46:00 +0000 http://www.origin.railrode.net/?p=13179598 Scientific American In the study, obese drivers — those with a body mass index (BMI) between 30 and 35 — were 20 percent more likely to die during a car crash compared to normal-weight individuals.

Morbidly obese individuals — those with a BMI of 40 and above — were 80 percent more likely to die in a car crash. BMI is a ratio of weight to height and is considered an indicator of body fatness.

The 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.

The findings agree with those of previous studies, including a study published in 2010 that found an increased risk of death during car crashes for people with a BMI over 35.

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