Research
Obesity is Not a Disability
Sermo, the social network for doctors, announced the results of a poll of 2,238 doctors on the contentious issue of whether obese individuals should be considered disabled. An overwhelming majority of doctors, 88 percent, disagreed with a new ruling from the European Union under which employers will be required to protect obese workers and provide them with special parking spaces, larger seats and additional accommodations.
The ruling, issued on December 18, 2014, was a landmark decision by the European Court of Justice and has established a precedent that could affect employment rights across the continent.“The obesity epidemic has exploded in the U.S. and we are now seeing it grow to a global phenomenon,” said Dr. Linda Girgis, a SERMO member and a family physician. “The key to solving this problem is prevention, not enablement. Governments should invest in curbing the epidemic and preventing obesity.”
"There are legitimate medical illnesses that cause obesity and these should be respected as such. However, the vast majority of obese individuals do not have medical illnesses and are not entitled to disability,” said Dr. Andrew Wilner, neurologist and SERMO member.
“One of the greatest aspects of SERMO is that doctors can be anonymous. Anonymity is important for doctors and allows our members to have the freedom to express themselves. As such, SERMO has become a true voice for physicians to openly discuss their thoughts,” said Peter Kirk, CEO of SERMO.
Some anonymous SERMO member comments:
“Obesity is a reversible condition. I could see giving someone defined time off for extensive diet/ exercise/ bariatric surgery to reverse the condition if they were so impaired they couldn't work, similar to alcohol/ drug rehab. I do not, however, support tax dollars being used to accommodate obese individuals in the work place.” – Anonymous Oncologist
“This is just saying, if excess weight is the only reason you can't do your job, you may have to be accommodated rather than fired. Presumably these will be rare cases with morbid obesity who need larger office chairs or surgical gowns. Most workplaces have been doing things like that for years. However, if this happened in the US I'd think hmmm, maybe it's aimed at preventing employers from firing people who are likely to incur higher health care costs.” – Anonymous Physiatrist
“The EU is 20 years behind the times. Back in 1995, Homer Simpson was depicted as gaining weight and operating his computer from the couch using a broomstick handle. Yes, this is what the world is condoning and aspiring to. It's wrong.” – Anonymous Pathologist
“There are legitimate medical illnesses that have obesity. However, accepting obesity as a disability should come with close medical supervision. If not, this will be another form of endless welfare that now exists in this country. There has to be motivation to make this successful.” – Anonymous Pediatrician
Source: Press Release Sermo
16.01.2015
