One underground manager said: It may be that they don't want to think of themselves as fat or they resent being put in with pensioners and the disabled

Brazilian train stations have installed larger seats for overweight travellers.

The extra-large bright-blue seats - which are almost twice as wide as the regular chairs - have been fitted in Sao Paulo underground stations.

However, transport bosses are confused as to why overweight passengers are refusing to use the reinforced seating equipment.

Above each chair is a cartoon sign of a chubby person and includes the words: "Priority chair for obese people."

One underground manager said: "It may be that they don't want to think of themselves as fat or they resent being put in with pensioners and the disabled."