It's going to get worse before it gets better, and we can't really wait for reductions in childhood obesity to fix the problems because it's an immediate safety issue. We definitely need to see seats that have been designed and tested and approved at higher weights.

Since we did this study, there have been at least two seats that have come on the market that would accommodate these age groups, and they are actually less expensive.

Debate regarding what to do to reduce and to prevent childhood obesity is just beginning. We do know, however, that childhood obesity is increasing, and we can expect even more children to face the prospect of limited child safety seats available to protect them.

As the number of obese children in the United States increases, it is essential to develop child safety seats that can protect children of all sizes and shapes.

We hope that the results of this study can be used to influence future products brought to market.

The childhood obesity trend is on the rise and has been for decades.

Children seem to be getting bigger, the car seats, the weight range for the seats haven't really changed.