Overweight couple banned from taxis claim their obesity is a disease

It’s no secret the world’s population has gotten fatter in recent decades. Waistlines are expanding, health systems are struggling to keep up with the burden and the junk food just keeps coming. 

But while obesity has largely (pardon the pun) been viewed as a lifestyle problem, there are calls for the eating disorder to be classed as a legitimate disease. 

One overweight couple in Britain recently sparked debate on the issue after they were banned from taxi service because of their size. The Sun ran a story on the couple, explaining their plight and their indignation at being discriminated against because of their weight, but it received a mixed response from readers, who said obesity isn’t a disease and that the pair need to lose the weight and their attitudes. 

Marcus Edwards, 29, and Taylor Faulkner, 26 told the paper they were banned from the car service because Marcus, who weighs 228kg, had apparently broken the suspension on two cabs during previous rides. The couple has accused the cabbies of “discrimination against larger people” and demanded the ban be lifted. 

Marcus, who suffers from cellulitis on both legs, which causes clots and body fluid problems, told the tabloid he’s obese “because of my medical problems”. 

“They should realise I suffer from a disease called obesity,” he said. “After all the money we have spent with them they should be ashamed.”

Taylor, who weighs 120kg, said her epilepsy had caused her to gain weight despite her healthy lifestyle. The pair say they both eat healthy foods and only treat themselves to takeaway once a month. 

“I do all our home cooked, healthy meals and we might treat ourselves to a takeaway just once a month. I don’t drink alcohol because of my condition and Marcus will only have a drink on special occasions,” Taylor said. 

Despite their claims, the British public was less than sympathetic and many jumped at the chance to tell the couple obesity is “a choice” rather than a sickness. 

One user wrote: “Coming from a person who was once obese … obesity is not a disease whether caused by medication or shoving food in your mouth and even if it was caused by medication then steps would have been made to ensure it didn’t get to this stage.”

“Obesity isn’t a disease. A disease is something you catch. Obesity is a choice,” one commenter said.

Another added: “’I am obese because of my medical problems’. No mate, you have medical problems because you’re obese.”

It’s not the first time debate over the issue has drawn ire from the public and medical professionals. While the condition is recognised as a chronic health issue, governments around the world have stopped short of categorising it as a disease. 

However, several major health institutes, including the Baker IDI Heart & Diabetes Institute in Melbourne, Australia, have called for obesity to be labelled and treated as a disease to help tackle the issue once and for all. 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think obesity is a disease or a choice? Or is it more complicated than that?