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We expect the US to lead the world in obesity design
FAT PLANET 6. Design for obesity
The World Health Organisation has classi- fied obesity as an epidemic and attractions need to gear up to accommodate this. We’re already seeing a trend towards
strong domestic markets for obese people who are unable to fly due to their size and we expect attractions to find they are increasingly catering for two distinct groups of customers among their clientele – obese domestic and non-obese tourist groups. Each has very different needs in
terms of both design and operations. In museums and other non-theme and
water park attractions the obese need wider corridors and bigger turnstiles and toilet cubicles as well as places to sit. The biggest pressure comes in theme
parks and waterparks where obese riders need plus-sized seats and redesigned rollercoasters, ride systems and flumes. We expect the US to lead the world in obesity design, with the provision of
extended seat belts, extra-large seats, more buoyant boats on water rides, and deeper, wider flumes. Where rides can’t be modified, sample
seats enable overweight visitors to try them for size before queuing in vain. Staff can be trained in how to deal with
this sensitive issue and websites can pre- pare visitors before their arrival by posting weight ride restrictions, in addition to the more usual height restrictions listed.