The theory is that overweight individuals have more medical issues and complications, such as heart disease and diabetes, and may be less able to pull through difficult surgeries following a car crash. In addition, proper seat belt fit for optimal restraint in the event of a crash is much more difficult for an obese person.
The study’s researchers note that crash-test dummies only represent non-obese drivers and urge the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to consider modifying the crash-test dummies to be more consistent with the wide range of drivers’ weights. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 35.7% of the population is obese.
Don’t get too aggressive with your workout routine, however. Underweight individuals (with a body mass index under 18.5) are at higher risk for death in car crashes as well. In a crash, they might have additional health complications due to their low weight, and they lack extra padding to help absorb the force of impact.