Half of overweight Britons have canceled plans because they feared they would not fit into seats or be comfortable while out, according to a study by online healthcare provider Numan. The research suggests millions of UK adults are abandoning events like weddings and flights due to concerns about their size and comfort.
Approximately two-thirds of UK adults are classified as overweight or obese, with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 25 or 30, respectively. Numan's findings indicate that this national obesity epidemic is contributing to widespread 'seat anxiety'.
The survey, named the Seat Anxiety Index, polled 3,000 British adults. It found that 34% of overweight or obese participants dreaded being in a middle seat on a plane. Over one in five disliked sitting on plastic chairs commonly found at public events, and nearly one in five felt uncomfortable using bar stools or window and aisle seats on aircraft.
The middle seat is generally considered the least comfortable on a plane due to limited space, in contrast to the extra legroom of aisle seats or the option to lean on a window seat.
Furthermore, one in three respondents reported canceling or changing plans because of concerns about their size and confidence in public spaces. This included avoiding physical activities such as going to the gym or playing sports, as well as major social gatherings. Almost a quarter avoided weddings, parties, or restaurants due to seating and comfort concerns. A significant 17% also reported delaying or avoiding visits to their General Practitioner (GP) due to anxiety about their size.
Obesity has been described by the UK government as one of the most pressing challenges facing the health system, with an estimated annual cost to the economy of £74 billion, including £11 billion for the National Health Service (NHS).
The survey also revealed that a third of respondents had paid for, or considered paying for, upgrades such as extra legroom or additional space while traveling, at an average cost of £154 per person. Numan has termed this a 'comfort tax,' estimating its total cost to the UK population at around £1.4 billion.
Almost a third of respondents expressed a wish to book flights without worrying about comfort, while one in five wished they could dine out without concerns about fitting into a seat. Zoe Griffiths, vice president of behavioural medicine and a registered dietitian at Numan, highlighted the impact of this anxiety. "What struck us most in this data is what people say they've lost," she said. "It might not seem like big things - booking a flight, choosing a restaurant, going to a friend's wedding. Things many of us do without a second thought. But for millions of people, those moments have become something to dread, and over time their world gets smaller because of it. That's what seat anxiety does."
A fifth of respondents noted that they first experienced 'seat anxiety' between the ages of 18 and 24. Women were generally more likely than men to feel conscious about their appearance.
Meggy Goldberger, 28, from Cardiff, shared her experience of dreading flying due to needing a seatbelt extender when she was obese. She stated that losing weight transformed her confidence, allowing her to travel without the need for an extender and look forward to trips again.
Weight-loss medications, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy, have emerged as significant tools in tackling obesity. Around 2.5 million adults in the UK are thought to be using weight-loss injections, with a new tablet form recently becoming available, offering more options for individuals managing obesity.
Griffiths added that while clinical tools for weight management have improved, with oral treatments now an alternative to injections, medication is only one part of the solution. "The confidence to stop checking seat sizes before you book, to stop arriving early for the right chair, to feel comfortable in public spaces - that doesn't come from a prescription or via weight loss. It comes from proper support over time. That's what Numan's programme is built around."