Obesity leads to disability

Obesity is a new form of disability, according to this article. Studies are showing that those who are obese have a very difficult time walking short distances or climbing even a few stairs. Obese people also have trouble lifting, bending and getting out of chairs. It's a vicious circle, really -- obesity is keeping them from activity and no activity is keeping them obese.

Still, it's nothing new. I've been seeing obese people using Handicapped parking passes for years, but while many people are quick to label such people as lazy, perhaps it's just that they physically can't walk that far. What do you think? Is obesity a real disability?