Does the ADA consider obesity a disability?

In Richardson v. Chicago Transit Authority, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit recently held that obesity is not a protected disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) unless a plaintiff can demonstrate that it is caused by an underlying physiological disorder or condition.

What constitutes morbid obesity?

Defining Obesity Individuals are usually considered morbidly obese if their weight is more than 80 to 100 pounds above their ideal body weight. A more widely accepted and more exact way to define morbid obesity is with the body mass index (BMI).

Why is obesity considered a disability?

Thanks to a new decision by the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the law appears to be settling on the principle that obesity only qualifies as a disability under the ADA if it is caused by an underlying physiological disorder or condition. That is good news for employers.

What is medically obese?

A BMI of 30 and higher is considered obese. The higher the BMI, the greater the risk of developing additional health problems. A healthy weight is considered to be a BMI of 24 or less. A BMI of 25 to 29.9 is considered overweight. A BMI of 30 and above is considered obese.

Can I get PIP for being obese?

Data from the DWP shows PIP claims from obese people have risen from just five people in October 2013 to 184 people in October 2014. A DWP spokesman also said: “Being obese itself does not entitle someone to disability benefits, but rather it’s the associated long-term health effects.”

What are examples of disabilities?

Disability can be broken down into a number of broad sub-categories, which include the following 8 main types of disability.

• Mobility/Physical.
• Spinal Cord (SCI)
• Head Injuries (TBI)
• Vision.
• Hearing.
• Cognitive/Learning.
• Psychological.
• Invisible.

What are considered disabilities under ADA?

Does the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provide a list of conditions that are covered under the act?

• Deafness.
• Blindness.
• Diabetes.
• Cancer.
• Epilepsy.
• Intellectual disabilities.
• Partial or completely missing limbs.
• Mobility impairments requiring the use of a wheel chair.