Should obesity be considered a disability?

Abstract

Obesity is a growing concern in the 21^st century. With almost a three-fold increase in incidence since 1975 worldwide, it is important to address a new concern, should obesity be classified as a disability? This raises a series of ethical and practical issues that need to be taken into consideration when exploring the best way to provide treatment and protection in society for obese individuals. This begins with the very definition of obesity itself. It is equally important to consider how to define a disability; several models have been suggested, which further adds to the complex nature of the problem. These include the biological model, the psychosocial model and the medical model. There are many arguments for and against ruling obesity as a disability.