Should obesity be considered a disability?

Answer 1

I sure hope so, I'm fat as a pig!

Answer 2

That is true in some--but not all--cases. Severe obesity--particularly if caused by a medical condition--is considered a disability. But the majority of people who are technically "obese" are not considered disabled. And strictly speeking, substanceabuse is not considered a disability. Rather, the law (the Americans with Disabilities Act) specifically says that anyone abusing drugs may NOT be considered disabled. A person who has STOPPED abusing but who experiences problems as a result can be considered disabled--but only if he/she does not again start using.

Answer 3

Very un-PC I know but definitely not!

It's self-inflicted!! Yes the glands story is out and the chemical imbalance is in but I for one can't swallow that (sorry - just popped out). Who knows, there might be something to it but it's funny how all the obese people walking around these days coincide with all the junk food and unhealthy takeaways available , and it puzzles me how this "chemical imbalance" affects people in other ways such as never walking far or taking exercise and despite headlines, articles, advertising and programmes in every form of media seem unaware of fat content in foods, the benefits of fruit and veg, wholemeal bread as opposed to glue-like white bread etc etc etc etc

How many people are going to get drunk tonight and get into a fight or a car crash which gets them to the top of the queue in A&E and into the bed in the ward that John Doe who has had crippling hip pain for 4 years is meant to have tomorrrow and has waited his turn?? FAR TOO many.

As far as I'm concerned obese people are much the same - overindulgent and on the whole lazy - and complain that the doctor couldn't fix them (like a car repair job) and watch this space folks for all the beds that will not be available in the future because of all the overweight people who ignored advice and take up (what at the current rate of obesity will be the vast majority of) beds in the NHS to the cost of those who listen and make an effort - with their heart disease, diabetes, cancers.............

We all go with something in the end - why shorten the odds and have a very limited lifestyle - and yes people eat for all sorts of reasons, most of which are a result of painful emotions, and I feel for them but we have all been there or get there. We all have excesses in some way or another but I don't expect anyone to feel sorry for mine or to make adjustments as a result - next thing we'll be expected to give Disability Living Allowance, car and all, to those who won't rein back - goodbye to socialism if so as we couldn't support all that weight (metaphorically speaking of course).

Sorry if this is not what you wanted to hear - I gorb sometimes but in the end I put it down and know it is pointless. Better to get some endorphins from exercise.

Answer 4

Yes, many people well, actually almost all people that are obese can't control their weight , just like you can't control if you legs are paralyzed or if you are mentally retarded. I'm on the verge of being obese. If i do not somehow control my weight, i will be considered obese.

Answer 5

No, but appetite stimulants should be banned from all processed foods. That includes the monosodium glutamate in all canned foods, and the growth hormones in all beef, chicken (including eggs), pork and lamb.

We wouldn't have the obesity epidemic we have if the FDA did what we pay them the big bucks to do.
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Answer 6

I think it shoud as long as its a tempory thing and that person is losing weight through a weight loss program or any other programs.

Answer 7

I don't think that it should becuase it is something that can be changed (either through conventional weight loss or suregery), but then again if you look at the definition of disability, it could very well fall under that.
The term disability means, with respect to an individual,


(a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual;

(b) a record of such an impairment; or

(c) being regarded as having such an impairment.



Regulations:
28 C.F.R. § 35.104; 28 C.F.R. § 36.104


(1) The phrase physical or mental impairment means--


(i) Any physiological disorder or condition, cosmetic disfigurement, or anatomical loss affecting one or more of the following body systems: Neurological, musculoskeletal, special sense organs, respiratory (including speech organs), cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive, genitourinary, hemic and lymphatic, skin, and endocrine;

(ii) Any mental or psychological disorder such as mental retardation, organic brain syndrome, emotional or mental illness, and specific learning disabilities.

(iii) The phrase physical or mental impairment includes, but is not limited to, such contagious and noncontagious diseases and conditions as orthopedic, visual, speech and hearing impairments, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis, cancer, heart disease, diabetes, mental retardation, emotional illness, specific learning disabilities, HIV disease (whether symptomatic or asymptomatic), tuberculosis, drug addiction, and alcoholism.

(iv) The phrase physical or mental impairment does not include homosexuality or bisexuality.

(2) The phrase major life activities means functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working.

(3) The phrase has a record of such an impairment means has a history of, or has been misclassified as having, a mental or physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

(4) The phrase regarded as having an impairment means--


(i) Has a physical or mental impairment that does not substantially limit major life activities but that is treated by a public entity as constituting such a limitation;

(ii) Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits major life activities only as a result of the attitudes of others toward such impairment; or

(iii) Has none of the impairments defined in paragraph (1) of this definition but is treated by a public entity as having such an impairment.

(5) The term disability does not include--


(i) Transvestism, transsexualism, pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, gender identity disorders not resulting from physical impairments, or other sexual behavior disorders;

(ii) Compulsive gambling, kleptomania, or pyromania; or

(iii) Psychoactive substance use disorders resulting from current illegal use of drugs.



29 C.F.R. § 1630.2(j) - Substantially Limits


(1) The term substantially limits means:


(i) Unable to perform a major life activity that the average person in the general population can perform; or

(ii) Significantly restricted as to the condition, manner or duration under which an individual can perform a particular major life activity as compared to the condition, manner, or duration under which the average person in the general population can perform that same major life activity.


(2) The following factors should be considered in determining whether an individual is substantially limited in a major life activity:


(i) The nature and severity of the impairment;

(ii) The duration or expected duration of the impairment; and

(iii) The permanent or long term impact, or the expected permanent or long term impact of or resulting from the impairment.


(3) With respect to the major life activity of working--


(i) The term substantially limits means significantly restricted in the ability to perform either a class of jobs or a broad range of jobs in various classes as compared to the average person having comparable training, skills and abilities. The inability to perform a single, particular job does not constitute a substantial limitation in the major life activity of working.

(ii) In addition to the factors listed in paragraph (j)(2) of this section, the following factors may be considered in determining whether an individual is substantially limited in the major life activity of ``working'':


(A) The geographical area to which the individual has reasonable access;

(B) The job from which the individual has been disqualified because of an impairment, and the number and types of jobs utilizing similar training, knowledge, skills or abilities, within that geographical area, from which the individual is also disqualified because of the impairment (class of jobs); and/or

(C) The job from which the individual has been disqualified because of an impairment, and the number and types of other jobs not utilizing similar training, knowledge, skills or abilities, within that geographical area, from which the individual is also disqualified because of the impairment (broad range of jobs in various classes).

For some obese people it is dificult for them to walk and even breathe due to the pressure on the lungs and heart.

Answer 8

not if it's caused by 'hand to mouth' disease.

Answer 9

It is if you're REALLY big.

Answer 10

no they brought it upon them selves