Pediatric Obesity in Motor Vehicle Collisions

Abstract

This article discusses the consequences of childhood obesity as it relates to motor vehicle collisions (MVCs) and injuries sustained therein. The authors note that there is no question that child age- and weight-appropriate restraints are effective in reducing fatal or serious injuries to children in MVCs. In adults there appears to be a linear decrease in seatbelt use with increasing body mass index, suggesting that seatbelts may not be large enough to accommodate larger sizes or are simply too uncomfortable for overweight adults to use regularly. Research on this topic has found correlations with obesity and degree of injury in adults. However, there is not much research in the literature that addresses the potential risks for injury of improperly-restrained obese children in a MVC. The authors briefly comment on some of the studies, noting that children may move directly from child car seats to adult seatbelts, without interim use of a booster seat, putting them at greater risk of injury. The authors conclude with a set of three questions for future research to address: are obese children at greater risk for serious injury in a MVC compared with their non-obese counterparts; injury severity, length of hospital stay, mental health, and residual disability in MVC-injured obese children compared with non-obese children; and whether obese children are at greater risk for post-traumatic stress syndrome.