Obvious Obesity Overload

The article below is a wake up call for me and other people who, may it be intentionally or unintentionally, ignore their health.

I am not obese, not yet! I'm 20 pounds overweight than my ideal body weight for my height which is five feet, seven inches.

Upon passing all rigorous interview for St. Luke's Medical Center - Global City.

I was adviced by the HR officer to loose weight before the start of my training.

Back then, I admit that I was offended but reading the article below made realize that she was just telling what is best for the interest ofthe hospital which promotes good health and my profession.

Obese Philippine flight attendant grounded after 20 year court fight

Reposted from AFP - Saturday, November 1, 2008

MANILA, Oct 31, 2008 (AFP) - An obese flight steward for national flag carrier Philippine Airlines has been grounded for good by the Supreme Court after a 20-year legal battle, court records released Friday said.
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In a 28-page ruling, the Supreme Court upheld an earlier decision by a lower court that found merit in the termination of Armanda Yrasuegi's contract.

The 217-pound Yrasuegi was dismissed by Philippine Airlines (PAL) after he failed to lose weight as specified under his contract in 1989.

Yrasuegi challenged the dismissal arguing that his weight had nothing to do with the airworthiness of PAL's airplanes in a legal battle that would stretch for 19 years.

He argued that his being fat was a "sickness and a physical abnormality" that was beyond his control.

But the Supreme Court noted that Yrasuegi repeatedly refused offers of medical assistance to lose weight and ignored weight checks.

It said Yrasuegi ignored suggestions to "trim down."

"Thus, his fluctuating weight indicates absence of willpower rather than an illness," the court said.

"Passenger safety goes to the core of the job of a cabin attendant. On board an aircraft, the body weight and size of a cabin attendant are important factors to consider in case of emergency.

"Aircraft have constricted cabin space, narrow aisles and exit doors," it stressed.

Yrasuegi's ideal weight should have been 166 pounds for his height of five feet, eight inches.