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Can Age or Height Define Appropriate Thresholds for Transition to Adult Seat Belts? An Analysis of Observed Seat Belt Fit in Children Aged 7–12 Years

Author

Listed:
  • Anvay Parab

    (Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
    The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia)

  • Tom Whyte

    (Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
    The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Bianca Albanese

    (Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
    The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Lynne Bilston

    (Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Sjaan Koppel

    (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

  • Judith L. Charlton

    (Monash University Accident Research Centre, Monash University, Melbourne 3800, Australia)

  • Jake Olivier

    (School of Mathematics and Statistics, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

  • Lisa Keay

    (The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia
    School of Optometry and Vision Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2033, Australia)

  • Julie Brown

    (Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney 2031, Australia
    The George Institute for Global Health, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2042, Australia
    Faculty of Medicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney 2052, Australia)

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate associations between demographic, anthropometric and vehicle factors and the fit of adult seat belts in children aged 7–12 years in passenger vehicles. Seat belt fit was assessed by inspection of 7–12-year-old children in their own cars. Logistic regressions examined associations between anthropometric and vehicle factors on achieving good seat belt fit. There were 40 participants included in the analysis, with 16 (40%) having good overall belt fit. The odds of achieving good overall seat belt fit increased by 15% (OR 1.15, 95% CI 1.04–1.27) with every centimeter increase in height and increased by 5% with every one-month increase in age (OR 1.045, 95% CI 1.001–1.10). Controlling for vehicle factors, neither age or height was significantly associated with overall good belt fit, and the discriminatory power of models including these metrics to predict good belt fit was 73% (AUC 0.73, 95% CI 0.55–0.91) and 74% (AUC 0.74, 95% CI 0.58–0.91). The results suggest that taller and older children have a better chance of achieving a good seat belt fit. However, with variations in seat geometry between vehicles, no single simple metric clearly defines an appropriate transition to the adult seat belt.

Suggested Citation

  • Anvay Parab & Tom Whyte & Bianca Albanese & Lynne Bilston & Sjaan Koppel & Judith L. Charlton & Jake Olivier & Lisa Keay & Julie Brown, 2022. "Can Age or Height Define Appropriate Thresholds for Transition to Adult Seat Belts? An Analysis of Observed Seat Belt Fit in Children Aged 7–12 Years," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-12, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:3:p:1524-:d:737430
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