Is obesity a disability?

The question “Is obesity a disability?” has recently attracted a lot of criticism as to its definition and relevance in relation to obesity as a disability. These are; the medical aspect, the legal or the legal aspect and the sociological aspect; the subject is important in the modern societies. The subject of the current paper is to analyze scientific discussions regarding general perception, legislation, and social implications of the topic of the recognition of the obesities as a disability.

Understanding Obesity

But in a bid to understand whether obesity is a disability or not, that knowledge is paramount for understanding what obesity entails. Obesity is a disease that is most commonly defined using body weight and adipose tissue distribution that increases a person’s risk of certain diseases. According to WHO, obesity is a medical condition where the BMI is 30 or more.

But here we would like to come with the message to the reader that obesity is much more than pounds or a figure on the scale. They are by heredity, chance, diet and other things, just as often related to one or more medical conditions. These above facts pose quite a dilemma with regard to whether or not obesity should be considered a disability.

The Disability Perspective

Disability is the first thing that needs to be defined although in order to define obesity as a disability or not it needs to be defined. Normally, disability is defined by any condition which persists for more than 6 months and has substantial limitation on one, two or more core life activities. This definition may slightly vary in terms of legal, medical or social and even vary depending on the country or organization which introduces it.

When considering if obesity is a disability, several factors come into play:

Functional Limitations:

Obesity III and IV, as severe obesity, most of the time impairs one’s normal tasks and may limit them from walking, climbing stairs or even breathing.

Chronic Health Issues:

Obesity leads to other complications like diabetes, heart and joint complications, which in themselves, can lead to disability.

Social and Environmental Barriers:

The obese people have to face discrimination and social barriers in one or the other similar to how the citizens with other forms of recognized disabilities face it.

Legal Considerations: Is obesity a disability?

It has been elaborated earlier that the majority of the countries of the world are still running a debate on the admissibility of legal classification of obesity as a disability. The subject of obesity is complex, but in the present moment it is recognized as a disability in some countries or within some frameworks and it is not the same in other countries or within other frameworks. Let’s look at a few key examples:

United States

For a fact, however, the Americans with Disabilities Act in America does not list obesity as a formal disability. However, things like being severely or morbidly obese may qualify as a disability if a person is limited from doing one or more of the major life activities. Moreover, the EEOC has provision stating that severe obesity, being obesity where an individual weighs more than 100 percent of standard weight is part of the disabled persons. 

European Union

According to the European Court of Justice of 2014, obesity is a type of disability if it prevents one from “effective and considerable participation in the workplace.” What this decision does not mean is that all forms of obesity are legal disabilities; however, it yielded a theoretical chance whereby obesity can be taken to be a legal disability in some situations.

United Kingdom

The UK Equality Act of 2010 does not qualify obesity per se as a disability. However, obesity coupled with a physical or mental condition that it has caused or exacerbated will entitle an individual to a disability if the listed condition affected his or her usual daily life considerably and permanently.

 Medical Perspective: Is obesity a disability?

From the medical perspective this question is rather ambiguous, is obesity a disability?  However, while obesity can often be deemed a disability, it is not correct to speak of obesity as a disability, but of a number of diseases which obesity entails. These include: 

1. Type 2 diabetes
2. Cardiovascular diseases
3. Osteoarthritis
4. Sleep apnea
5. Certain types of cancer

The disability of obesity is being viewed separately: Medical practitioners prefer dealing with the visible functional constraints as well as health complications resulting from obesity than categorizing obesity as a disability. This approach acknowledges the fact that the impact of obesity may differ among individuals.

The Social Repercussions of Obesity as a Disability Gustavo Barrientos Gonzaga Abstract: The discussion of obesity as a disability raises important social questions that should be addressed.

The case of obesity as a disability has key social concerns. Recognizing obesity as a disability could:

1. Reduce Stigma: As we know, discrimination and prejudice targeted at individuals with obesity could be significantly reduced.
2. Increase Accommodations: It could result in an increased number of public and workplace accommodations for people with severe obesity.
3. Improve Healthcare Access: It may lead to an improvement of insurance provision and a subsequent availability of treatments for obesity and other related diseases.
4. Raise Awareness: This would lead to increased sensibility about obesity issues as a disease rather than a mere lack of self-control from the public.

However, some argue that classifying obesity as a disability might have unintended negative consequences, such as:

1. Discouraging Personal Responsibility: It may lower the level of incentives that individuals put in place to help them live a healthy life.
2. Straining Resources: It could distort the capability of disability support infrastructures to deliver support and related services.
3. Definitional Challenges: Things such as being overweight raise questions as to where one can make a distinction between being overweight and having a disability.

Conclusions about Is obesity a disability?

The problem that can be formulated as the question “Is obesity a disability?” is related to the next question and is not a yes-or-no type of question. That is why it is difficult to categorize some of them as either pathologic or no pathologic; it fully depends on many factors starting with the degree of obesity and ending with the effect of obesity on the living, as well as the legal and social conditions of the country.

Obesity by itself is not a disability; nonetheless, if a person is extremely obese to the extent that his or her one or multiple vital activities are considerably confined, then such a man or woman may be regarded to fall under the disabled population in most contexts.
 
With the ever-evolving information regarding the disease referred to as obesity, it becomes essential to consider the debates that exist in relation to the consideration of obesity as a disability. What is clear though is that obesity is not a health issue that has massive effects on the life of a human being. It may not strictly fall under the category, but there is no excuse to never refer to obesity or close our eyes to those struggling with it.

FAQs

What if I am too obese to walk? Can I be eligible for disability benefits?

One is able to apply for disability benefits based on obesity, and according to the situation one finds himself or herself in as per region. Sometimes the disease may qualify you for disability since it may greatly reduce your performance in activities that are considered to be your line of duty. For more specific advice, you should perhaps talk to a lawyer or your local disability services organization.