Europe Lifts Capacity Is Outdated Due To Obesity Level Rising

[RAMROD 117,667]

 

Lifts are no longer big enough to fit the UK’s larger citizens, according to researchers.

A study of maximum capacity in elevators in the UK and mainland Europe found lifts have not kept up with increasing obesity levels, raising concerns about safety and equity.

The research, presented at the European Congress on Obesity in Istanbul, Turkey, used photos of weight limits for 112 lifts manufactured between 1972 and 2024 in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Finland.

Prof Nick Finer, the president and chair of the International Prader-Willi Syndrome Organisation and lead author of the study, compared the average maximum weight allowance (total weight allowance divided by maximum passenger limits) with the average adult weight in the year the lift was manufactured.

The research found that despite adults’ continued growing weight, total lift limits have not increased since about 2004. In the mid-1970s, the average British man weighed 75kg and a woman 65kg, but that has swelled to 86kg and 73kg respectively.

Maximum allowances rose from about 62kg a person in 1972 to 75kg in 2002, broadly in line with average body weight increases during this time. But most lift manufacturers assumed average weight remained at 75kg, 4kg lighter than the average adult.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/may/12/capacity-lifts-elevators-weight-limits-obesity-safety-equity

[Economy 52,992]

Of course update this to reflect the changes

 

But also we need to fight the issue in the first place. Everything about modern life pushes people towards weight gain

[Sepsami 21,038]

20 minutes ago, Economy said:

Of course update this to reflect the changes

 

But also we need to fight the issue in the first place. Everything about modern life pushes people towards weight gain

How about food production companies also take into account people's health and nutrition instead of just making highly processed food that is addicting and easy to overeat?  

[LateToCult 42,035]

8 minutes ago, Sepsami said:

How about food production companies also take into account people's health and nutrition instead of just making highly processed food that is addicting and easy to overeat?  

Let them eat [rice] cake!

[River 128,183]

A lot of buildings in Europe can't even have a lift, accessibility in Europe is still backward and undeveloped.