Navigating Weight Checks: A Guide for Cabin Crew in the Global and Indian Aviation Industry

As cabin crew members, the importance of maintaining a healthy weight is often stressed upon, considering the physical demands and safety requirements of the aviation industry. However, weight checks can be a challenging aspect of the job, leading to stress and concerns for many individuals. In this blog, we will explore important information and practical tips to help cabin crew navigate weight checks, taking into account both the global and Indian aviation industry perspectives.

Understanding the Role of Weight in Aviation
Weight plays a crucial role in aviation for various reasons, including aircraft balance, fuel efficiency, and passenger safety. Airlines implement weight regulations to ensure the aircraft's stability and overall performance. As cabin crew, it is essential to be aware of these guidelines and maintain a healthy weight within the acceptable limits.

Global Aviation Industry Perspective
Regulatory Standards: The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) provides guidelines and standards for aviation operations worldwide. These guidelines include weight-related requirements and considerations for cabin crew members.
Cultural Sensitivity: In the global aviation industry, it is crucial to embrace diversity and promote body positivity. Airlines are increasingly recognizing the importance of focusing on an individual's overall health and fitness rather than solely on weight.

Indian Aviation Industry Perspective
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Guidelines: The DGCA is the regulatory body for civil aviation in India. They provide specific guidelines on weight-related requirements for cabin crew, including body mass index (BMI) ranges and periodic medical examinations.

Cultural Factors: In the Indian context, body weight can be a sensitive topic. It is essential for airlines to handle weight checks with sensitivity, ensuring that the focus remains on promoting overall well-being rather than shaming individuals.

Some Tips for Cabin Crew Struggling with Weight Checks

Prioritize Health and Fitness: Focus on maintaining a healthy lifestyle rather than obsessing over a specific number on the scale. Embrace a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and practice self-care.

Seek Professional Support: If you are struggling with weight management, consult a healthcare professional, such as a nutritionist or a dietitian, who can provide personalized guidance and support.

Emotional Well-being: Remember that your worth as a cabin crew member is not solely determined by your weight. Cultivate a positive self-image and practice self-acceptance.

Support Networks: Connect with fellow cabin crew members who understand the challenges you face. Share experiences, seek advice, and provide mutual support.

Weight checks can be a source of stress for cabin crew members, but it is important to approach them with a balanced perspective. Both the global and Indian aviation industries are gradually shifting towards a more inclusive and holistic approach to weight management.

Prioritizing health and well-being, seeking professional support when needed, and cultivating a positive self-image can contribute to a healthier mindset and a successful career in the aviation industry.

Remember, you are more than just a number on a scale. Embrace your unique qualities and contributions as a cabin crew member, and soar to new heights in your professional journey.

Importance of Fitness for Cabin Crew: Indian and Global Perspectives

Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is of utmost importance for cabin crew members, regardless of whether they work in the Indian or global aviation industry. Here are the reasons why fitness is crucial for cabin crew in both contexts:

Physical Demands: Cabin crew members have physically demanding jobs that involve long hours of standing, walking, and lifting heavy objects. They need to be physically fit to handle these tasks effectively and without risking their own well-being or the safety of passengers. Fitness helps in maintaining endurance, strength, and flexibility, enabling cabin crew to perform their duties efficiently.

Emergency Situations: Cabin crew members are trained to handle emergency situations, such as evacuations, medical emergencies, or turbulence. During these critical moments, physical fitness becomes vital. Fitness enables cabin crew to remain calm, make quick decisions, and assist passengers effectively, ensuring their safety and well-being.

Health and Wellness: Working in a confined space, being exposed to different time zones, and irregular sleep patterns can take a toll on the health and well-being of cabin crew. Regular exercise and maintaining a healthy lifestyle help in reducing stress, boosting the immune system, and improving overall physical and mental well-being. This is particularly important for cabin crew members who frequently travel and have irregular work schedules.

Professional Image: As representatives of the airline, cabin crew members are the face of the industry. Their appearance and professional image play a significant role in customer satisfaction and the overall reputation of the airline. Being physically fit and well-groomed enhances the professional image of cabin crew, instilling confidence and trust among passengers.

Indian Aviation Industry Perspective: In the Indian aviation industry, there are specific guidelines set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regarding the Body Mass Index (BMI) requirements for cabin crew. The DGCA aims to ensure that cabin crew members maintain a healthy weight range to perform their duties efficiently and comply with safety standards.

Global Aviation Industry Perspective: Globally, airlines emphasize the importance of fitness for cabin crew. Many airlines have fitness programs, provide access to gym facilities, and offer wellness resources to support the physical and mental health of their employees. Airlines recognize that fit and healthy cabin crew members contribute to safer and more enjoyable travel experiences for passengers.

Being fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for cabin crew members in both the Indian and global aviation industries. Physical fitness enables them to meet the demands of their job, handle emergencies, and maintain their health and well-being.

Additionally, being physically fit enhances their professional image and contributes to the overall reputation of the airline. By prioritizing fitness, cabin crew members can excel in their roles and provide the best possible service to passengers.

Decoding a DGCA's Circular On Obesity

is a condition characterized by an excessive accumulation of body fat or adipose tissue. While the terms "obesity" and "overweight" are often used interchangeably, they do not necessarily denote the same situation. Some individuals may be overweight without being obese, whereas obese individuals exceed a certain defined degree of overweightness. Defining obesity itself is not a challenging task, but measuring it can be controversial and complex. The medical implications of obesity are a cause for concern for employers, given its potential to cause acute incapacitation. Overweight and obese individuals are at a higher risk for numerous diseases and health conditions, including hypertension, dyslipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, coronary heart disease, stroke, gallbladder disease, osteoarthritis, and sleep apnea.

Currently, there is no universally agreed-upon, inexpensive, simple, accurate, and reproducible method for measuring obesity. Each anthropometric measurement or parameter has its own advantages and disadvantages. Methods for measuring body fat include BMI (Body Mass Index), hip-waist ratio, skinfold thickness, underwater weighing, bioelectrical impedance, dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and computerized tomography. The common indices used to measure and grade the degree of obesity are listed below.

Body Mass Index (BMI), BMI is one of the better methods for determining whether someone is overweight or obese. It can be quickly calculated in a clinical setting by measuring an individual's weight and height. BMI is a reliable indicator of body fat, although it does not measure it directly. Instead, it correlates body fat to direct measures such as underwater weighing and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). BMI is calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by the square of height in meters (kg/m²).

The World Health Organization defines a BMI less than 25 as normal, 25 to 29.9 as overweight, and 30 or greater as obese. Obesity is further divided into three classes: Class I (BMI 30 to 34.9 kg/m²), Class II (BMI 35 to 39.9 kg/m²), and Class III (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m²). It's important to note that BMI does not consider variations in muscular frames at different heights.

Therefore, individuals who engage in weightlifting or resistance exercises may experience a slight increase in BMI due to increased lean body mass, which weighs more than fat tissue. However, individuals with a BMI of 30 or higher generally have an excess of adipose tissue.

The correlation between BMI and body fat is generally strong, but it can vary by sex, race, and age. For example, women tend to have more body fat than men at the same BMI, while older people tend to have more body fat than younger adults. Highly trained athletes may have a high BMI due to increased muscularity rather than increased body fatness. BMI is just one factor related to disease risk, and other predictors of morbidity such as waist-hip ratio and coronary artery disease risk factors should also be considered.

Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR)
The waist-to-hip ratio is a measure of truncal obesity and serves as a good indicator of weight as a risk factor for diseases like heart disease. WHR specifically measures abdominal adipose tissue and fat distribution. The waist circumference is measured midway between the costal margin and the crest of the iliac in the standing position, while the hip circumference is measured just below the iliac crest. A WHR greater than 0.80 in women and greater than 0.90 in men is a fairly accurate predictor of an increased risk of obesity-related conditions, independent of BMI. The accuracy of measuring WHR is slightly higher for men than women. Other factors, such as postprandial status, standing position, time of day, and depth of inspiration, can also affect this parameter.

Skinfold Thickness (Skin Calipers)
Skinfold thickness measurement has been a popular method for assessing body composition. It involves using skin calipers to measure the thickness of skinfolds, which provides a direct measure of body fat. However, this method has limitations since not all body fat is accessible to the calipers, such as intra-abdominal and intramuscular fat. Additionally, the distribution of subcutaneous fat can vary significantly throughout the body, making it challenging to accurately represent overall body fat composition. Skinfold measurements are less reproducible compared to other anthropometric measurements. While this method is inexpensive and relatively easy to perform, it cannot accurately measure abdominal obesity. The use of triceps and subscapular skinfolds is based on past protocols and convenience. Estimating body fat using skinfold thickness measurement can involve using 3 to 9 different standard anatomical sites around the body, with measurements typically taken on the right side. However, in specific situations such as injuries, amputations, deformities, or medical conditions, measurements can be taken on the left side.

Lean Body Mass (LBM)
Lean body mass refers to the body sites that do not consist of adipose tissue and are more metabolically active. Calculating LBM involves using complex equations, and its accuracy is still a subject of debate due to population and ethnic differences. A common equation used in some clinical studies is 2.447 - 0.09516 age (years) + 0.1074 height (cm) + 0.3362 weight (kg) divided by 0.732. A higher LBM should correlate with less obesity or fat tissue. However, it is essential to note that this equation assumes the percentage of water in an individual's LBM remains constant, which may not always be accurate. Despite its imperfections, calculating LBM is a rapid method for estimating lean body mass in epidemiological studies.

Assessing Risk Status
To assess a patient's risk status, the degree of overweight or obesity based on BMI, the presence of abdominal obesity based on waist circumference, and the presence of concomitant cardiovascular disease risk factors or comorbidities should be considered. Certain obesity-associated diseases and risk factors categorize patients as being at high absolute risk for subsequent mortality. Obesity also exacerbates several cardiovascular risk factors. Patients with three or more of the following risk factors are classified as being at high absolute risk for obesity-related disorders:

Cigarette smoking
Hypertension
High-risk low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
Impaired fasting glucose (IFG)
High triglycerides

When assessing overweight commercial aircrew, BMI and waist-hip ratio should be considered for grading and assessing obesity, rather than relying solely on height-weight tables. Taking a holistic view of weight and associated risk is crucial to prevent unnecessary and repetitive tests that do not provide accurate risk assessment. Significant weight gain or changes in weight parameters over time are important considerations when assessing the clinical implications of obesity or overweight in aircrew and its impact on their overall health. The medical services department of the respective airline or authorized medical attendant is responsible for advising aircrew on suitable methods to achieve recommended weight.

Based on the above information, the following recommendations are made for assessing overweight commercial aircrew without any other associated clinical disability:

BMI 25-29.9: Blood sugar fasting and postprandial (after 75 gm of oral glucose load) and lipid profile once every two years, in addition to mandatory tests at specified ages.
BMI 30-34.9 or WHR > 0.9 for men and 0.85 for women: Blood sugar fasting and postprandial (after 75 gm of oral glucose load), lipid profile once a year, in addition to mandatory tests at specified ages.
BMI 35 and above: Blood sugar fasting and postprandial (after 75 gm of oral glucose load), lipid profile once every six months, in addition to mandatory tests at specified ages.

Please note that it is recommended to visit the DGCA's website for updates on these regulations, as they are subject to change.

Different private airlines may have their own specific hiring criteria, which can be more stringent compared to general requirements. However, once an individual becomes a professional cabin crew member, they fall under the purview of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations. Both airlines and cabin crew are obligated to adhere to the DGCA guidelines strictly, ensuring compliance with the established rules and regulations.

Following the DGCA guidelines in both letter and spirit is essential to maintain safety standards and ensure consistency in the aviation industry. It is important for cabin crew members to stay updated with any changes or updates to the DGCA guidelines through reliable sources such as the DGCA's official website or communications from their respective airlines.

A hypothetical example of an Indian airlines section criteria for cabin crew

Selection Eligibility (Hiring Criteria) - Minimum Requirements

Designation Criteria:

Age: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old.
Minimum Educational Qualification: Candidates should have completed 10+2 from a recognized Board/University with a minimum score of 60%.
Experience: A minimum of 1 year of flying experience is required.
Valid SEP (Safety and Emergency Procedures) certification.

Physical & Medical Standards:
i) Height:

Male Cabin Crew: Minimum height of 172 cm.
Female Cabin Crew: Minimum height of 155 cm.
Arm reach: 212 cm.

ii) Body Mass Index (BMI):

Male: BMI should be between 18 to 25.
Female: BMI should be between 18 to 22.

iii) Vision:

Near Vision: N/5 in the better eye and N/6 in the worst eye.
Distant Vision: 6/6 (as per DGCA guidelines for Class II medical).
Spectacles are not allowed.
Contact lenses up to +2D are permitted.

Language Requirement:

Fluency in Hindi and English.

Additional Criteria for Trainee Cabin Crew (TCC)

Age: Candidates must be between 18 and 27 years old.
Minimum Educational Qualification: Graduation or 10+2 from a recognized Board/University with a minimum score of 60%.
No minimum experience required.

Physical & Medical Standards for Trainee Cabin Crew (TCC)
i) Height:

Male Trainee Cabin Crew: Minimum height of 172 cm.
Female Trainee Cabin Crew: Minimum height of 155 cm.
Arm reach: 212 cm.

ii) Body Mass Index (BMI):

Male: BMI should be between 18 to 25.
Female: BMI should be between 18 to 22.

iii) Vision:

Near Vision: N/5 in the better eye and N/6 in the worst eye.
Distant Vision: 6/6 (as per DGCA guidelines for Class II medical).
Spectacles are not allowed.
Contact lenses up to +2D are permitted.

Qualification Requirements (Functional Role)

Designation: Cabin Supervisor (CS)

Eligibility: To be eligible for the position of Cabin Supervisor, the following criteria must be met:

Clean Record: The CS should have a clean record with no pending disciplinary or vigilance cases in the last 2 years.
Leave Records: The candidate's leave records from the past two years will be taken into consideration.
Cumulative Flying Hours: The CS should have the minimum cumulative flying hours as per the Cabin Crew Training Manual (CCTM).
Active Flying Duties: The CS should be actively engaged in flying duties.
BMI Requirement: The candidate's Body Mass Index (BMI) should be within the prescribed limits.
Medical Standards: The CS should meet all the medical standards and should not have received any punishments in the last 2 years.

Post Selection, After successfully completing SEP (Safety and Emergency Procedures) Training and Viva, the aspirant will be required to undertake 2 sector flights as part of the operating crew under the supervision of a Line Check Cabin Crew (LCCC) and 2 sector flights as part of the operating Cabin Crew under the supervision of a senior Cabin Supervisor.

Line Check Cabin Crew (LCCC)

The selection of Line Check Cabin Crew will be based on the following criteria:

Seniority: Consideration will be given to seniority in the cabin crew.
SEP Records: The SEP records of the past 5 years will be reviewed.
Leave Records: The candidate's leave records from the past 5 years will be taken into account.
Personal File Verification: The Admin. Section will verify the Personal File for personal records of the last 5 years.
Incident/Accident History: There should be no incidents or accidents directly attributed to the concerned Cabin Crew member, as confirmed by the Flight Safety Department (FSD).
BA Positive: The candidate should not have had any BA (Breathalyzer Alcohol) positive results in the last 2 years.
BMI Requirement: The candidate's BMI should be within the prescribed limits, excluding the obese category.
Active Flying Duties: The candidate should be willing and available to fly as per the Auto Roster and management requests.
Remaining Service Period: Eligible candidates should have a remaining service period of at least 1 year from the date of selection.

These qualification requirements are in place to ensure that the selected Cabin Supervisors and Line Check Cabin Crew members meet the necessary standards and qualifications for their respective roles within the airline.

Management of Deranged BMI

Consequence Management for different BMI categories:

Category: Normal, BMI Range: 18.5-24.9

Fit to fly for 2 years (up to the age of 50 years)
Fit to fly for 1 year (age more than 50 years)

Category: Overweight, BMI Range: 25-29.9

Fit to fly for 6 months with weight check every 3 months
If there is a downward trend from the last check, fitness is extended for 6 months with weight check every 3 months
If there is an upward trend from the last check, fitness is extended for 3 months with check every 3 months

Category: 30+

BMI Range: 30 and above

Action: Temporarily unfit with monthly weight check

It is important to note that a more frequent follow-up is desirable for individuals with deranged BMI to closely monitor their weight and take necessary actions to ensure their fitness to fly. The consequences mentioned in the table provide a guideline for managing BMI-related issues among cabin crew members, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy weight for the safe performance of their duties.

Some Hypothetical Case studies to understand this better

Case Study 1: Rahul
Rahul, a cabin crew member, falls under the "Overweight" category with a BMI range of 25-29.9. During his routine weight check, his BMI is measured and found to be 26.5. According to the guidelines, he is considered fit to fly for the next 6 months, with a requirement to undergo a weight check every 3 months.

Three months later, Rahul undergoes another weight check, and his BMI has decreased to 25.2. As there is a downward trend from the last check, his fitness is extended for an additional 6 months, and he is scheduled for the next weight check in 3 months.

After the next weight check, Rahul's BMI has further decreased to 24.8, indicating a continued improvement. Consequently, his fitness is extended for another 6 months, and he is required to undergo a weight check every 3 months to monitor his progress.

Case Study 2: Priya
Priya, a cabin crew member, is categorized as "Overweight" with a BMI range of 25-29.9. During her routine weight check, her BMI is measured and found to be 28.1. As per the guidelines, she is fit to fly for the next 6 months, but she needs to undergo a weight check every 3 months.

Three months later, Priya undergoes another weight check, and her BMI has increased to 29.5. There is an upward trend from the last check, indicating a weight gain. In this case, her fitness is extended for 3 months, and she is scheduled for the next weight check in 3 months to closely monitor her weight.

During the subsequent weight check, Priya's BMI remains the same at 29.5, indicating no improvement. As per the guidelines, her fitness is extended for another 3 months, and she is required to undergo a weight check every 3 months to assess any changes.

It is important to note that these hypothetical case studies demonstrate different scenarios based on the BMI trend of cabin crew members falling under the "Overweight" category.

The guidelines aim to monitor weight and ensure that cabin crew members maintain a healthy BMI range for their overall well-being and ability to perform their duties efficiently.

"Being a flight attendant is not a job, it's a lifestyle"
Happy learning & Happy Flying!