EU Obesity: Being Fat Can Be a Disability, Rules Court of Justice

Obesity can be a disability, according to a ruling by the European Court of Justice that could have consequences for employers across the continent.

The court ruled Thursday in the case of a Danish child-minder who says he was unfairly fired for being fat, reported The Associated Press.

The court said if obesity hinders "full and effective participation in professional life," it could count as a disability. Discrimination on the grounds of disability is illegal under European Union law.

Karsten Kaltoft worked as a child-minder for 15 years for the Municipality of Billund in Denmark, before he was dismissed in 2010.

Kaltoft, who weighed 350 pounds, said he was fired for being obese, a claim his employer contests.

The court says it was for Danish courts to decide whether Kaltoft's obesity constituted a disability.

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