or, Darwin strikes again...
So, how much money can I make marketing "Tub-o-Lard Baby on Board" window stickers?
Obese kids can't fit into car seats, experts warn
Mon Apr 3, 2006 12:16 AM ET
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of obese U.S. children cannot fit into car seats, leaving them at risk in the event of a crash, researchers said on Monday.
"As the number of obese children in the United States increases, it is essential to develop child safety seats that can protect children of all sizes and shapes," wrote study author Lara Trifiletti of Ohio State University in Columbus.
According to the study published in the journal "Pediatrics", more than 282,000 overweight children under the age of 7 do not fit into most child safety or booster seats available on the market and therefore are improperly restrained inside vehicles.
"We hope that the results of this study can be used to influence future products brought to market," Trifiletti said.
The study identified only four types of car seats that some obese toddlers could use. However each cost at least $240, and with childhood obesity concentrated in low-income families, many might be deterred by such prices.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. children, and more than 1.5 million are involved in crashes each year.
Properly restraining toddlers in car seats has been found to reduce their risk of fatal injury by more than half, the report said.
Rates of child obesity, which is linked to later heart disease and diabetes, have doubled or even tripled over the past 30 years depending on the age group.
An estimated 182,000 American 3-year-olds, or nearly 5 percent, weigh more than 40 pounds (18 kg), representing the largest category of children whose caregivers may not be able to find an affordable car seat, the report said.
Older obese children may not fit into booster seats and many may not have reached the requisite height of 57 inches to use an adult seat belt.
Forward-facing child safety seats are normally designed for children weighing up to 40 pounds (18 kg), while booster seats can accommodate children weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kg).
Mon Apr 3, 2006 12:16 AM ET
CHICAGO (Reuters) - Hundreds of thousands of obese U.S. children cannot fit into car seats, leaving them at risk in the event of a crash, researchers said on Monday.
"As the number of obese children in the United States increases, it is essential to develop child safety seats that can protect children of all sizes and shapes," wrote study author Lara Trifiletti of Ohio State University in Columbus.
According to the study published in the journal "Pediatrics", more than 282,000 overweight children under the age of 7 do not fit into most child safety or booster seats available on the market and therefore are improperly restrained inside vehicles.
"We hope that the results of this study can be used to influence future products brought to market," Trifiletti said.
The study identified only four types of car seats that some obese toddlers could use. However each cost at least $240, and with childhood obesity concentrated in low-income families, many might be deterred by such prices.
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. children, and more than 1.5 million are involved in crashes each year.
Properly restraining toddlers in car seats has been found to reduce their risk of fatal injury by more than half, the report said.
Rates of child obesity, which is linked to later heart disease and diabetes, have doubled or even tripled over the past 30 years depending on the age group.
An estimated 182,000 American 3-year-olds, or nearly 5 percent, weigh more than 40 pounds (18 kg), representing the largest category of children whose caregivers may not be able to find an affordable car seat, the report said.
Older obese children may not fit into booster seats and many may not have reached the requisite height of 57 inches to use an adult seat belt.
Forward-facing child safety seats are normally designed for children weighing up to 40 pounds (18 kg), while booster seats can accommodate children weighing up to 100 pounds (45 kg).
So, how much money can I make marketing "Tub-o-Lard Baby on Board" window stickers?
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