Shape change and obesity prevalence among male UK offshore workers after 30 years: New insight from a 3D scanning study.

Objectives: In 1984, male UK offshore workers had greater overweight and obesity prevalence and fat content than the general population. Since then, body weight has increased by 19%, but, without accompanying anthropometric measures, their size increase, current obesity, and fatness prevalence remain unknown. This study therefore aimed to acquire contemporary anthropometric data, profile changes since the original survey, and assess current obesity prevalence in the male offshore workforce.

Defying geometric similarity: Shape centralization in male UK offshore workers.

Objectives: Applying geometric similarity predictions of body dimensions to specific occupational groups has the potential to reveal useful ergonomic and health implications. This study assessed a representative sample of the male UK offshore workforce, and examined how body dimensions from sites typifying musculoskeletal development or fat accumulation, differed from predicted values.

Methods: A cross sectional sample was obtained across seven weight categories using quota sampling, to match the wider workforce.

Survival suit volume reduction associated with immersion: implications for buoyancy estimation in offshore workers of different size.

Rationale: It is currently unknown how body size affects buoyancy in submerged helicopter escape.

Method: Eight healthy males aged 39.6 ± 12.

The ability of UK offshore workers of different body size and shape to egress through a restricted window space.

404 male offshore workers aged 41.4 ± 10.7 y underwent 3D body scanning and an egress task simulating the smallest helicopter window emergency exit size.

Body size and ability to pass through a restricted space: Observations from 3D scanning of 210 male UK offshore workers.

Offshore workers are subjected to a unique physical and cultural environment which has the ability to affect their size and shape. Because they are heavier than the UK adult population we hypothesized they would have larger torso dimensions which would adversely affect their ability to pass one another in a restricted space. A sample of 210 male offshore workers was selected across the full weight range, and measured using 3D body scanning for shape.