Overweight Drivers: A Big Risk on the Road

Discussion in 'Driver Health' started by HealthyHoss, Jun 3, 2009.

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  1. Jun 3, 2009 #1
    HealthyHoss

    HealthyHoss Bobtail Member

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    http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31066019//

    The interesting thing about the article for me, was this:
    That's scary.

    The Body Mass Index is SO wacky!

    A 6' tall individual, weighing 225 pounds at 8% bodyfat would be considered obese and unable to drive!

    I wonder how Red Fox would fare on the BMI scale?
    And that is in NO WAY a slam on Red Fox
    He's in great shape!

    I just wonder if his BMI could potentially put him at risk.
     
    HealthyHoss, Jun 3, 2009
    HealthyHoss, Jun 3, 2009
    #1
    Baack Thanks this.
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  3. Jun 3, 2009 #2
    Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    Are they afraid I'm going to sit on someone and squash them?
     
    Texas-Nana, Jun 3, 2009
    Texas-Nana, Jun 3, 2009
    #2
  4. Jun 3, 2009 #3
    TrashcanMustang

    TrashcanMustang Bobtail Member

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    Nope, Just a few words to explain what they are worried about.

    Sleep Apnea
    Heart Attack
    Heart Explosion.....I have personally seen this occur with 2 former trainees.
     
    TrashcanMustang, Jun 3, 2009
    TrashcanMustang, Jun 3, 2009
    #3
  5. Jun 3, 2009 #4
    Texas-Nana

    Texas-Nana Princess Drives-a-Lot

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    *coughs* I was being sarcastic.
     
    Texas-Nana, Jun 3, 2009
    Texas-Nana, Jun 3, 2009
    #4
  7. Jun 3, 2009 #5
    rich_t

    rich_t Road Train Member

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    My family doctor tells me the current BMI scale is ######## from the get go. It doesn't take muscle mass into account for one thing.

    Lee Priest is 5'4" tall. His competion weight is 203 pounds.

    Based on the US BMI scale his BMI is above 30. Does he look over weight to you?

    Picture here
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2009
    rich_t, Jun 3, 2009
    rich_t, Jun 3, 2009
    #5
  8. Jun 4, 2009 #6
    HealthyHoss

    HealthyHoss Bobtail Member

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    Sleep apnea is a problem, so are heart attacks, high blood pressure, type II diabetes and all the rest....and yes....even drivers 'squashing' people, I suppose :-0

    The BMI is way off, obviously way, way off.

    Some drivers really need some help in the area of health and fitness, for sure.

    The government's response is a little maddening I guess.
    Throwing some wacky guidelines out there -imposing steep, steep penalties -and then just letting us 'fend for ourselves' and figure it out somehow.


     
    HealthyHoss, Jun 4, 2009
    HealthyHoss, Jun 4, 2009
    #6
  9. Jun 4, 2009 #7
    themlilboots

    themlilboots Heavy Load Member

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    They also need to measure waist circumference and pinch so much fatty tissue in order to get a more accurate reading. You cannot pinch muscle..........
     
    themlilboots, Jun 4, 2009
    themlilboots, Jun 4, 2009
    #7
    HealthyHoss Thanks this.
  10. Jun 5, 2009 #8
    HealthyHoss

    HealthyHoss Bobtail Member

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    Now THAT's a great idea!

    Skin caliper measurements ARE superior and highly accurate. Add that to waist circumference measurements.....and it would be like we were really serious about the problem and were approaching it from a practical and knowledgeable perspective!

    I LIKE it 2LilBoots!
     
    HealthyHoss, Jun 5, 2009
    HealthyHoss, Jun 5, 2009
    #8
  11. Jun 9, 2009 #9
    truckerdad57

    truckerdad57 Light Load Member

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    The clarify... the proposed regulation is.. that if you have a BMI>30 you will be required to have had a full in-lab sleep study before you can get a DOT medical card.

    If your BMI>30 you will get a 30-day conditional certification pending getting the in-lab sleep study.

    2 issues on this.

    1) There is very little scientific evidence to make the link between sleep apnea and increased risk of crash IN STUDIES DONE ON CMV OPERATORS... (note on Commercial Motor Vehicle Operators).. There is lots of research on the general driving public that shows an increased risk of crash.. But, when you look at the studies done of truck drivers the are 2 studies that showed truckers with sleep apnea were actually safer (but they were not well designed studies).

    2) BMI is a risk factor for having sleep apnea. Yet using it alone it is a VERY poor predictor of sleep apnea.

    FYI - a full in-lab sleep study costs about $ 2,000.... 30-40% of drivers have a BMI>30.. there are about 3.5 million truck drivers....

    sleep labs know they are going to see a drop in demand for in-lab sleep studies because they have developed cheaper at home tests.... BUT for a DOT medical you can not use one of the cheaper in-home tests.. you might cheat on it.. so we will have to get the more expensive in-lab studies....

    you do the math... why do you think the doctors want this regulation?
     
    truckerdad57, Jun 9, 2009
    truckerdad57, Jun 9, 2009
    #9
    HealthyHoss, zotoa and onelikeseabass Thank this.
  12. Jun 9, 2009 #10
    HealthyHoss

    HealthyHoss Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the clarification, truckerdad57 -good post!
     
    HealthyHoss, Jun 9, 2009
    HealthyHoss, Jun 9, 2009
    #10
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