Obesity can raise the "disability" under the European justice

Obesity-falls as a personal responsibility, or disability, the overweight person to be protected as such by specific duties?

The Court of Justice of the European Union has more or less settled by equating severe obesity a disability, if it makes the person's professional life difficult.

The distinction is important for Karsten Kaltoft a childminder, who weighs nearly 160 pounds. He blames his employer for having dismissed for his obesity and committing discrimination. But European law recognizes discrimination based on disability,

"I hope this will provide general protection, and that can no longer be dismissed because of an overweight," responded Karsten Kaltoft.

It is now up to the Danish court to see if obesity complainant falls within the definition of disability. For his employer, the city of Billund, assimilation is impossible: Obesity Karsten Kaltoft is by him.

According to the World Health Organization, 23% of European and 20% of Europeans are obese.