Obese people have higher risks for

Obese people have higher risks for 1, heart disease, arthritis -- and injuries in car accidents? Yes, in part because they're far less likely to wear a seat belt. That's the finding of a study out of the University of Buffalo that will be presented at an upcoming meeting of the Society for Academic Emergency Medicine in Chicago. The researchers analysed data in the national Fatality Analysis Reporting System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration . The study included a third of-a million drivers involved in 2 crashes. Two years ago, the research group found that morbidly obese people were 56 percent more likely to die in a car crash than normal weight car occupants. The new study 3 that drivers of normal weight are 67 percent more likely to wear a seat belt than are obese drivers -- which could account for at least part of the increased death risk. The researchers hypothesize that 4 people find belts uncomfortable and difficult to buckle. A weight loss 5 can address the problem in the long run. An inexpensive seat belt extension can solve it today.