Fatter Dummies for Crash Testing?

WE NEED FATTER DUMMIES?

When crash test dummies were introduced over forty years ago, only about 15% of us were obese. Apparently, we have gained enough collective weight as a nation that we need heavier crash test dummies. In fact, the current statistics ranges from 30-40% of us are now obese. America leads the world often containing the highest percentage of obese people in the world.

As an injury attorney, I fully support crash testing of automobiles. Many changes have been made to vehicles and barriers as a result of these real world collisions.

Since so many drivers are now overweight, the first-ever adult obese crash test dummy was recently introduced. Weighing in at 273 lbs., and Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35, it is a big change indeed.

Changes that new testing will likely lead to are probably a decade down the road. This may be too late for many already. Some initial results of actual crash data are startling. People with a BMI between 30 and 40 are many, many times more likely to die in a car crash than fitter victims.

Sometimes improving protection for one group, like obese adults reduces protection for other populations. For instance, increasing air bags compression to deal with higher weight ranges might hurt shorter individuals or children.  Strengthening seat belts for heavier occupants might well increase chest injuries for the elderly osteoporotic bones.

In order to test cars in crash tests with realistic dummies, one must first test the dummies. To do this, they do the unseemly task of crashing human cadavers. A comparison of cadavers with dummies validates the crash injuries.

Obesity changes more than one might think. A seated obese person extends farther forward on the seat compared to a slimmer occupant.  Because this changes the seatbelt positioning, it is one of the many factors that must be considered.

A child dummy representing a 10-year-old child weighing more than 65 pounds was adopted several years ago.  This has been used to evaluate new safety requirements of child restraint systems, including car seats and boosters for that age and weight.

In the end, the more realistic the dummies the better the safety measures that are adopted. It's really all of balancing act. We would save a lot of lives if we required roll cages and five-point harnesses, such as you see in a NASCAR vehicle. But it's all a balancing act.


Mr. Peel seeks justice for those injured in car accidents, work place incidents, medical malpractice, and nursing homes. He often addresses churches, clubs and groups without charge. Mr. Peel may be reached through PeelLawFirm.com wherein other articles may be accessed.

Why Are We Fat?

Why Are Americans Obese?

Have you noticed the trend of obesity in our country? Especially among children, it is just staggering. Just consider these points:

•Diabetes has increased over 90% in the last decade.

•Childhood obesity had more than tripled in the last 30 years!

I wanted to know why. I know that kids are lazier than ever, playing video games and watching television while parents won’t make them do any chores. But I know there had to more to it. Why are there 12 year olds that weigh more than I do?

Some people may suspect some vast secret conspirator has placed some agent in our food supply to make sure they can sell diabetes supplies. Well, if so, the food industry has played a role.

They have added ever-increasing amounts of High Fructose Corn Syrup (HFCS). And who could blame them? HFCS is a lot cheaper than sugar. It is made from corn, so it sounds quite safe and “natural.” (Of course gasohol is also made from corn, and you run your car on it.)

To create HFCS, corn kernels are soaked, heated and spun. Using enzymes, they create high fructose, making it as sweet, if not many times sweeter than regular sugar. Much of the corn used is reported to have been genetically modified.

Currently over 55% of all sweeteners are made from corn! It is the number one source of calories in the United States. The consumption of HFCS between 1970 and 2005 has increased a whopping 10,673% in the United States!

It is not only cheap and widespread, but it is stealthy. High Fructose Corn Syrup rears it head not just in the Cola aisle, but it is found all over your local grocery store. Just look at this list:

Breakfast Cereal: Whether it sounds healthy or not, check for HFCS. Many kids are starting their day with pure sugar in the form of healthy looking cereal. It is like feeding your kids cake and ice cream for breakfast.

Yogurt: Once again, healthy sounding foods like yogurt often contain HFCS.

Ravoli and Canned Goods: Yes, ravoli! If it is sweet or salty, check it out.

Salad Dressings and Condiments: HFCS is used to offset the saltiness of un-sweet items like salad dressings.

Nutrition Bars and Candy Bars: There is not much difference between the two. Don’t let the word “nutrition” fool you. They tend to have a lot of HFCS.

Breads: Just because it says “whole grain” does not make it less fattening. Many contain HFCS.

Waters: Just because they talk of vitamins, it is also full of sugar.

The main concern is that HFCS seems to metabolize fat far more rapidly than regular sugar.

Thus the chart linking obesity and HFCS look like the same data.

Obesity leads to diabetes, and high levels of LDL (the bad cholesterol), and heart attacks and stroke. In short, our sweet tooth is killing us.

Mr. Peel is a local attorney who practices in the areas of Accident, Injuries, Malpractice and Nursing Home Neglect. Mr. Peel often addresses churches and clubs and can be contacted through www.PeelLawFirm.com, wherein other articles can also be found.