Everyone knows by now that obesity is associated with heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer. But did you know that it is also associated with automobile injuries and deaths?

According to researchers at the Meharry Medical College, an historically black academic health center in Nashville, Tenn., nearly 30 percent of extremely obese motorists do not wear a seat belt, compared to 17 percent for non-obese motorists.

The reason for this is it is difficult for obese motorists to put on their seat belts and in many cases, the belts are simply too short. You can buy a "belt extender," but many people don't know this or they don't want to go to the trouble.

More than 42,000 deaths and 3 million injuries result annually from motor vehicle crashes in the United States. If you or a person you know needs a seat belt extender, call the parts department at one of your local car dealer and ask them if they can order one for you.

Fat or thin—buckle up!