Obesity and injury report

Obesity and injury are major health burdens on society and the need has arisen to establish the relationship between the two.  "Obesity and injury in Australia: a review of the literature" is a new AIHW report which overviews the existing literature to investigate obesity–injury relationships. 

Most evidence suggests that obesity increases the risk of injury, especially from falls, trips or stumbles, and resulting musculoskeletal injury. This may be somewhat offset by the possible protective effects of fat mass as cushioning and of increased bone density in weight-bearing joints. Sleep apnoea increases road injury risk and is strongly associated with obesity.  In children the relationship is complex and evidence limited, but the risk of falls is higher for obese children, probably increasing rates of face, tooth and musculoskeletal injuries. Obesity is also a risk factor during pregnancy, with increased rates of injury to mother and baby. 

The average length of stay in hospital is significantly longer for obese injured patients, and they have greater requirements for respiratory support relative to the non-obese. Also, obese injured patients are more likely to suffer complications of care during the period in hospital following injury.