May 17, 2013
According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s figures, the number of obese Americans continues to rise. Included within those statistics are ¼ of all American children between the ages of 2 and 5. 
The numbers are not much better for school-age children and adults either. As a result, schools have started purchasing bariatric and oversized chairs to accommodate students, staff and visitors. Given the figures, it’s a trend that is likely to continue. With that said, here’s a quick look at some of the options available:
Scholar Craft
Some schools may want to consider investing in Scholar Craft’s Accolade School chairs. These student chairs are lightweight, stackable with soft plastic seats that can accommodate up to 300 pounds of pressure. The chairs come in assorted colors and range in height from 14 to 20 inches. Thus, they would be suitable for kindergarteners as well as teens.
For school administrators that are interested, Scholar Craft also manufactures combination chair desks with extra "belly room", or space between the chair back and desk edge. They range in height from 18 to 20 inches. Therefore, they would be appropriate for use with preteens and teens. These extra large classroom desks are also ideal for larger, high school athletes such as football players.
Virco
Another option to consider is Vicro’s 2000 Series. Like the Scholar Craft line, they are stackable, made with soft plastic and capable of supporting up to 300 pounds. The oversized stack chairs are 18.5 inches tall and suitable for use in grades 4 through 12. Sprinkle these chairs in with your other Virco school chairs and you will have seating for all student sizes.
Reception Seating
When it comes to chairs for adult staff members and visitors, there are several reception seating brands to choose from. Brands such as Lesro, OFM, KFI Seating and Wooden Mallet all make a variety of oversized chairs, bariatric couches and roomy loveseats. The Lesro Newport Bariatric chair is capable of supporting adults that weigh up to 750 pounds. Featuring a roomy seat, upholstery ranges from assorted fabrics to healthcare grade vinyl.
Want more information on bariatric and oversized chairs that would be appropriate for a classroom setting? Contact us by calling 1-800-599-6636. We can provide you with further product details and price quotes.