Should Obesity Be Categorized As A Disability?

DISINFO

“Brilliant, my good man. I must make haste to the haberdasher at once to seek recompense for the injury of this comically small hat. Ta.”

Should obesity be considered a disability, the door would be opened for obese people to sue in cases of discrimination.

As the number of people struggling with obesity continues to rise around the world, governments are faced with the increasingly complex problem of helping these individuals deal with the unique challenges they face. Case in point: Discrimination against overweight and obese individuals in the workplace. While weight-based bias is well-documented in many countries, legislation is only just beginning to address the issue.

This week, for example, the highest court in the European Union is hearing a case brought by a babysitter who says he was fired because he was obese. Judges in the case will be forced to decide whether obesity itself can be considered a disability, independent of any other medical issues. If so, victims will have more recourse to sue for discrimination or wrongful termination, while employers could be legally forced to accommodate the needs of obese employees, according to the BBC.