2017, Volume 23, Issue 1

THE POTENTIAL INFLUENCE OF OBESITY ON THE ABILITY TO DRIVE

Michał JANEWICZ¹, Anna TREJNOWSKA², Stefan P. GAŹDZIŃSKI³, Mariusz WYLEŻOŁ⁴
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¹Department of Simulator Studies and Aeromedical Training, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine
²Psychology and Sociology Department, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh
³Flight Safety Department, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine
⁴Surgery Department, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine


Autor korenspondencyjny: Michał JANEWICZ; Department of Simulator Studies and Aeromedical Training, Military Institute of Aviation Medicine; email: michal.janewicz@gmail.com

Full text

Streszczenie

Introduction: Obesity is now an epidemic. The incidence of obesity is estimated at 10% among men and 14% among women. Each year 28 million deaths are reported as a consequence of excess overweight and obesity.  A study demonstrating a higher risk of death of obese people due to car accidents was the starting point for this review.

Methods: A systematic review has been made on the influence of obesity and its comorbidities on psychomotor and cognitive skills. The Web of Science and PubMed search engines were used.

Results: Existing studies have shown that obese drivers are more prone to injury due to motor vehicle crashes. Obesity has influence on psychomotor skills starting from childhood to the old age. Some studies conclude that being overweight or obese is associated with lower cognitive abilities. No studies focused on the influence of obesity on driving abilities and skills were found.

Conclusion: Information about difficulties of morbidly obese drivers while driving a car are indispensable. So far no such studies were conducted.

Słowa kluczowe

obesity, driver, psychomotor abilities, BMI, cognitive function