Overweight kids at greater risk while crossing road

New York Parents may please take note that overweight and obese kids may be more impatient than their peers while crossing the road, and compromise their own safety to expedite the crossing.

In a study involving traffic simulations, researchers found that children with higher body mass indices waited less before crossing, allowed for a smaller buffer of time and distance between themselves and oncoming traffic, and were involved in more collisions in the experimental settings.

Extra weight influences how obese children choose to cross the street, said lead author of the study Elizabeth O'Neal from the University of Iowa in the US. "Being overweight is putting increased stress on their joints, which is a little uncomfortable," she said.