Anthropometric change: implications for office ergonomics | JoVE Visualize

Anthropometric change: implications for office ergonomics

¹US Army Natick Soldier Center, Natick, MA 01760-5020, USA.

Work (Reading, Mass.)|February 10, 2012

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Obesity rates have significantly increased in US civilians and military personnel over 50 years, impacting workplace design. This study tracked anthropometric changes, revealing faster weight gain than height increase, affecting ergonomic considerations.

Area of Science:

Ergonomics and Human Factors
Anthropometry and Biomechanics
Public Health and Epidemiology

Background:

Office workspace design relies on accurate anthropometric data to accommodate diverse worker populations.
The rising obesity epidemic has led to significant anthropometric shifts, posing challenges for effective design.
Existing anthropometric data may not reflect current population characteristics due to secular trends.

Purpose of the Study:

To analyze anthropometric changes in US civilians over the past 50 years, focusing on height and weight trends.
To examine anthropometric changes within the US military as a proxy for civilian population data, given its comprehensive ergonomic datasets.
To evaluate methods for tracking civilian anthropometric changes using military data in the absence of national civilian ergonomic surveys.

Main Methods:

Analysis of civilian height and weight data from 1962 to 2006 to determine mean changes and obesity rates.
Examination of anthropometric data from the US Army to assess obesity trends in a specific population subset.
Application of military height/weight regression equations to civilian population estimates for monitoring purposes.

Main Results:

Civilian mean stature increased for both males and females between 1962 and 2006.
Mean weight increased at a significantly faster rate than stature, leading to substantial rises in obesity.
Male obesity rates in the civilian population increased from 10.7% to 31.3%, and female rates from 15.8% to 33.2% during the study period.
Obesity in the Army (males) increased from 3.6% to 20.9%.

Conclusions:

Significant anthropometric changes, particularly increased weight and obesity, have occurred in the US population over the last 50 years.
Military data provides a valuable resource for tracking population anthropometric trends when national civilian data is limited.
The applied regression method is useful for population monitoring but may underestimate changes at the extremes of the distribution, limiting its use for establishing new design limits.