Obese kids can't fit into car seats, experts warn
Reuters
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Chicago (US):
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.
Apr 03, 2006
Reuters
_____
Chicago (US):
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.
Apr 03, 2006
