Capacity of lifts not kept up with UK obesity levels, study shows
Summary
A study found that elevator weight and size limits in the UK and Europe have not increased enough to match rising obesity levels. This creates safety risks and can exclude people with larger bodies from using lifts comfortably and fairly.Key Facts
- Researchers studied elevator weight limits from 112 lifts made between 1972 and 2024 in the UK and several European countries.
- Average adult weight in the UK rose from 75kg for men and 65kg for women in the 1970s to 86kg and 73kg today.
- Lift weight limits rose until about 2004 but have stayed the same since, assuming an average weight of 75kg.
- Elevator designs now focus on space taken on the floor but use shapes (ovals) that don’t account for increased body size from obesity.
- Too-small lifts can trigger safety issues like lifts cutting out if weight limits are exceeded.
- Smaller lift sizes can cause people with obesity to feel excluded or face discrimination in everyday life.
- Experts say public facilities should adapt to modern body sizes to ensure safety, dignity, and inclusion.
- The study was presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.