Should Obesity Be Removed from the ADA?

by guest blogger Thuli Katerere

The issue of obesity is one causing great concern around the world as a potential pandemic, but more specifically, in the United States.  An approximate one-third of all Americans are diagnosed with obesity.  In a time when President Obama is looking to reform health care and the costs of these changes are a hot topic, new ways are being discussed as to how to best cut restructuring costs and alleviate the compounding health problems of the American people. 

One of the suggestions on the table is the removal of obesity from the Americans with Disabilities Act so possible incentives might be applied to obese Americans who lose weight; and adversely, penalties might be applied to obese Americans who fail to do so. Currently, discrimination or unequal treatment of any persons diagnosed with any of the ailments listed on the ADA, obesity included, is prohibited by law. 

Some politicians are debating that obesity be removed from the ADA and incentives be instated; while others would like to find a way to keep obesity as part of the ADA while still launching a weight-loss incentive program.  Of course, one must remember that for some suffering from obesity, the condition is not preventable and their obesity stems from genetic, psychological, or physical conditions.  Loosing those rights under the ADA would prove a huge detriment to their lives. 

But considering sedentary lifestyle and exorbitant calorific intake are the most common causes of obesity in America, one can definitively say that the issue of obesity must be addressed urgently and efficiently.  My hope is that the resolution neither deprives people with disabilities of their rights nor facilitates a culture of unhealthiness.