Obesity and vehicle type as risk factors for injury caused by motor vehicle collision

In this study, the authors examined the variance of motor vehicle collision (MVC) injury and death in relation to occupant body mass index (BMI) class and vehicle type. Using data from the Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network and the National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System, the study investigated whether vehicle type modifies the relationship between BMI and risk of MVC injury or mortality. The analysis of 17 million injuries that achieved and Abbreviated Injury Scale (AIS) of 2 or more severe was conducted. Occupants were defined according to by vehicle body style (passenger car, sport utility vehicle, or light truck), size (compact or normal, corresponding to below- or above-average curb weight), and BMI class (underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese). Risk of injury or mortality was examined for each type of vehicle. The study results showed obesity to be a risk factor for mortality caused by MVC and a risk factor for mortality in larger vehicles (including any-sized light trucks, normal-sized passenger cars, and normal-sized sports utility vehicles or vans). Additionally, being overweight was found to risk factor in any-sized light trucks. The authors conclude that a significant relationship exists between occupant BMI class, vehicle type and MVC-related mortality risk and, therefore, BMI and vehicle type should be considered when dealing with matters related to occupant safety.

• Record URL:
  https://doi.org/10.1097/TA.0000000000000168
• Record URL:
  http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/Fulltext/2014/04000/Obesity_and_vehicle_type_as_risk_factors_for.31.aspx
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/21630755
• Authors:
  • Donnelly, John P
  • Griffin, Russell Lee
  • Sathiakumar, Nalini
  • McGwin, Gerald Jr.
• Publication Date: 2014-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: 1116-1121
• Serial:
  • Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery
  • Volume: 76
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
  • ISSN: 2163-0755
  • EISSN: 2163-0763
  • Serial URL: http://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automobiles by type; Crash data; Crash injuries; Human body mass; Human factors in crashes; Motor vehicles; Obesity; Risk analysis; Traffic crash victims
• Identifier Terms: Crash Injury Research and Engineering Network; National Automotive Sampling System - Crashworthiness Data System
• Uncontrolled Terms: Body mass index
• Subject Areas: Highways; Safety and Human Factors; I83: Accidents and the Human Factor; I84: Personal Injuries;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01526194
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 28 2014 3:24PM