almost half of 1,000 british companies questioned said they are less inclined to recruit an applicant after interview if they are obese or overweight .
among the reasons given were that overweight workers ` are unable to play a full role in the business ' , ` they 're lazy ' , and ` they would n't be able to do the job required ' , the research shows .
in december european judges ruled that obesity qualified as a disability if it ` hinders the full and effective participation of the person ... on an equal basis with other workers ' , when doing their job .