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Kaltoft v Municipality of Billund [2014] Case C-354/13

Obesity can be a disability

The ECJ in Kaltoft v Municipality of Billund has held that in certain cases obesity can amount to a disability where there is a limitation resulting from long-term physical, mental or psychological impairments which, in interaction with various barriers, may hinder the full and effective participation of the person concerned in professional life on an equal basis with other workers. So, where obesity results in reduced mobility, it may be a disability. In this case, Mr Kaltoft was a morbidly obese child-minder whose employment was terminated on ground of his obesity. 

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