Australia's inaugural anthropometry dataset has unveiled a concerning trend: an average weight gain of approximately 3 kilograms every decade. This revelation carries significant ramifications for transport design, particularly in the context of accommodating larger body sizes in features like airline seats or even the local action park rides. The research was conducted by the University of South Australia in collaboration with Transport for NSW (TfNSW) and the Department of Transport and Planning Victoria. 

Anthropometry is the science of measuring human body dimensions and served as the focal point of this research. In the context of developed countries, the dataset underscores a concerning rise in obesity and weight gain among adults since the 1960s and children since the 1980s. For Australia, the data suggests a continued increase in adult weight, ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 kilograms per decade. 

The researchers anticipate that over the next two decades, Australia may see no significant change in stature but an expected weight gain of 2 to 3 kilograms per decade. A more conservative scenario, which would favour accommodating larger body sizes in designs, involves a 10mm increase in stature per decade and a 3-kilogram weight gain per decade.

The study also highlights the connection between expanding body sizes and airline seats, citing studies revealing that changes in body dimensions over the past three decades have made airline seating dimensions inadequate for up to 68 percent of males and 22 percent of females.

Historically, commercial airline seat dimensions were based on passenger weight data from the 1950s to 1970s. However, as today's travellers become significantly heavier, airlines are grappling with the challenge of accommodating a growing and heavier passenger base. Is a weight measurement of passengers and bags in our future?

This trend in weight gain obviously carries substantial implications for aircraft design and fuel efficiency. Heavier planes consume more fuel, leading to increased operational costs and environmental concerns. In recent weeks, this issue has garnered significant media attention, with financial analysts suggesting that United Airlines could save USD $80 million annually if the average passenger lost about 4.5 kilograms.

But the impact of weight gain extends beyond airlines. Trains, buses, and various modes of transport will also need to adapt to accommodate evolving body sizes. The newly created dataset offers valuable insights for industries to address these challenges effectively. Understanding changes in body size over decades is vital to ensuring that designs, equipment, and layouts remain suitable for use by their intended users throughout their lifespan.

Ian Christensen, Managing Director of iMOVE CRC which funded the study, emphasised the study's significance in addressing the evolving needs of the population and ensuring transport systems are designed with human-centred principles. The data from this study provides a roadmap for creating inclusive, sustainable, and forward-thinking transport solutions.

Christina Kirsch, Senior Human Factors Specialist at TfNSW, stressed the importance of designing public transport tailored to the unique shapes and sizes of the Australian population. Such designs directly influence passenger comfort, safety, accessibility, and overall user experience. Incorporating anthropometric data into the design process is crucial for enhancing the efficiency, safety, and comfort of work and transport systems for both staff and customers.

The study's methodology involved sourcing primary data from National Health Surveys in 2014 and 2017, which included height and weight data from approximately 20,000 Australian adults. Advanced statistical modelling, including a "skew normal bivariate distribution," generated synthetic individual datasets, resulting in a detailed dataset comprising 105 anthropometric measurements for Australian adults.