LISTEN: Offshore Workers 'Growing Heavier'

Offshore workers are around a fifth heavier than 30 years ago, research has found.

A large-scale study of the current North Sea workforce using 3D body scanners was carried out to inform future changes to safety equipment and the design of offshore installations and platforms.

The research team from Robert Gordon University (RGU) in Aberdeen found male offshore oil and gas workers weigh on average 14st 4lb (91.7kg) in clothing, almost 19% heavier than in the mid-1980s.

The average height is now 5ft 8in (1.78m), 2% taller than in the 80s.

A total of 588 workers of various weight were selected for the study, with each undergoing seven body scans which took 26 measurements.

But Doctor Arthur Stewart - who led the project - says it's not all fat: