EU obesity ruling - Disabling yes, avoidable yes

Those who subscribe to the traditional, hard-nosed school of thought around personal responsibility and the consequences of ill-discipline will be at least bemused if not outraged by the European Court of Justice ruling that people who are obese could also be considered disabled.

The ruling came in a landmark case involving a Danish child minder who was so fat he could not tie his shoelaces and was sacked four years ago.

The ruling, however, recognises a modern affliction, even if it is one the victims, if that is the right word, bring on themselves.