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The worlds heaviest people.
September 27, 2001 10:44 PM   Subscribe

The worlds heaviest people. And by god they are heavy.
posted by Wet Wednesday (45 comments total)

what exactly is the point of your post?
posted by double+good at 10:55 PM on September 27, 2001


For the life of me, I can't understand some of the families here who kept feeding these people so much food. Assisted suicide?
posted by owillis at 11:27 PM on September 27, 2001


For the life of me, I can't understand the diet promoters who kept killing these people with their ill conceived schemes. Involuntary manslaughter?
posted by Nothing at 11:44 PM on September 27, 2001


It was interesting to read of a 600 pound man dieing of starvation.
posted by arielmeadow at 11:48 PM on September 27, 2001


So, Wet Wednesday, when will you be posting some pictures of yourself so we can compare?
posted by aaron at 12:30 AM on September 28, 2001


"People would visit me and sit on the bed, not realizing they were sitting on part of me," she recalled.

Yikes.
posted by lia at 12:32 AM on September 28, 2001


Wow. Makes this guy seem like a lightweight.
posted by milnak at 12:39 AM on September 28, 2001


For the life of me, I can't understand some of the families here who kept feeding these people so much food. Assisted suicide?

Well, the feeding part seems odd. But the tough thing about weight gain is that it's hard to say what exact weight is "too much"- excepting someone at 3% body fat and just ripped, there isn't a one of us who would be significantly changed by gaining or losing 5 pounds. Or 7 pounds... And at the risk of sounding mean spirited, owillis, you could stand to lose some weight yourself. But the thing is, you wouldn't be much worse off if you gained 20 pounds either; that is, it wouldn't make that huge a difference. In fact, if you gained it one pound at a time, you wouldn't even notice it, unless you saw before/after pics from a couple of months apart. That's why gaining weight is so easy and losing it is so tough- it happens gradually that it's tough to not gain and tough to stay motivated when you try to lose it.

I guess these people gain a little here, a little there- probably in childhood- and then at a certain point they realize they're quite heavy, but still within "return-to-normal" weight. So they don't change their lifestyle, and they add a little more, and a little more. Once they've got rolls of fat, approaching the 300 mark, they get pretty saddened by their weight, although they could still lose it. However, a pound here or there won't even be noticed, and because of their weight they're less active, which means they end up gorging more, which starts this vicious cycle. And quickly after that, they become so huge they pretty much will never lose the weight, and they give up. At which point, suicide is probably on their minds a lot, and the families aren't likely to have the stamina- feeling immense pity and frustration about their loved one's sealed fate- to be refusing them food at that point. Y'know, that's kinda like the ending of "Leaving Las Vegas", now that I think of it...
posted by hincandenza at 12:45 AM on September 28, 2001



Fat people got
no reason
Fat people got
no reason
Fat people got
no reason to liiiive

Is this post supposed to be here? According to my calendar, this week we're supposed to be pointing and laughing at Negroes. Fatsos aren't till the second week of October.
posted by aaron at 12:46 AM on September 28, 2001


their profiles describe edema (extracellular water retention) as a major source of weight; the more they weight the less they move. being in bed all day everyday, in turn, would lead to muscle atrophy, so when they do move, the smaller muscles need more fuel. their bodies most likely have trouble converting fat into energy in the first place, causes can be genes or for whatever reason, so they'd get those calories from food only. i wonder if they're diabetic.
posted by elle at 12:51 AM on September 28, 2001


Aaron, it's mildly possible that this thread was in no way meant as an attack on fat people. The morbidly obese are amusing to us mere mortals, as is any existence outside of the everyday norm. Relax a wee bit.
You don't see me backing into a corner brandishing a broken bottle when they make fun of the ugly, drunken one from the Backstreet Boys, do you?
posted by dong_resin at 1:24 AM on September 28, 2001


aaron - am i missing something here? I noticed no pointing or laughing. It's an interesting link, a good read, and it could've been presented in a much less appropriate manner. If discussing obesity is inherently pointing and laughing, then label us all assholes.

As for why the families (or they themselves) kept feeding them... without even regarding the psychological reasons, I can think of a pretty good physiological reason - if you just stop eating your 15,000 calorie diet and go down to 2,000 or whatever a "normal" person eats, you die.
posted by chrisege at 1:28 AM on September 28, 2001


Being a bit overweight is normal in some places, but weighing over a thousand pounds is something to gawk at. That's what people are doing. They're gawking.

Here are some fat cats to gawk at.

> Fatsos aren't till the second week of October.

It's a moveable feast.
posted by pracowity at 2:39 AM on September 28, 2001


Presenting something does not equal mocking it. The latter is your choice and if you think the presentation itself is mocking that says more about you and how you see other people than anything having to do with obesity.

That said, I remember seeing Denny Welch on Springer but I didn't know he started his Springer career as a female impersonator:

Welch lost about 200 pounds, but by the fall of 1997 he had regained it all and had developed heart and respiratory problems along the way, possibly as a result of his treatment with diet pills. In April 1998 he was back in the hospital, suffering from severe edema and congestive heart failure.

I remember exactly what the doctor prescripbed for Denny, Phen-Fen. How long was that stuff even on the market? Very bad timing.

As to why they keep feeding them, I'm sure there's a point where anyone is going to give up along with them and just give them anything they like. Try fighting sobs and begging for food from a loved one that can't even leave the bed. I'm sure the victim card gets played pretty often too.

There really should be some free hospitalization and treatment for food addicts. I'm not holding my breath though, look at how most drug addicts are treated.
posted by skallas at 3:16 AM on September 28, 2001


Being a bit overweight is normal in some places

There's another link on that site that said that the BMI level for "overweight" had been revised downwards, making 55% of people in the USA overweight.

I was poking around looking for an explanation of what all the water retention was about - I got the impression that there was some serious physical problem (as opposed to the mental, dietary and exercise problems that I (perhaps wrongly?) assume are the explanation for most overweight people).

The text on the page is pretty damning about TV + diet sellers.
posted by andrew cooke at 3:23 AM on September 28, 2001


I have a family friend.

She probably wouldn't make it into the "900" club but likely the "700" club (if you'll pardon the pun). This massive obesity came about mainly through the last ten years; when I first met her she weighed around 300. She suffers from the same edema; her feet and calves retain so much water you can barely see any toes. She also suffers from massive liquid around her heart, and asthma.

Why does she keep eating this way? She says she doesn't care. My family has told her, point blank, that she will die if she doesn't chage her ways, but she says this doesn't bother her, that 55 is old enough. Interestingly, the idea of having to go to a nursing home to be cared for scares her more, but not enough to change.

Why do people keep bringing her food in the quantities and qualities that she likes, rather than what would be good for her? I find it hard to understand (for I would feel very uncomfortable doing so) but they say it is her choice. If she was still mobile she would get these same foods for herself. Now that she is not, they feel that it is still her choice, and see it as cruel to refuse her the foods she is making a conscious choice to eat just because she is unable to get them herself.

I don't imagine it will be too many more years before I attend her funeral.

I wish that she had made different choices, or that someone, somewhere had been able to formulate the right words to convince her that life is worthwhile and taking care of your body is the most important step to enjoying that life. But the point is, it was her choice.
posted by twiki at 4:59 AM on September 28, 2001


To answer all. I posted it because I thought it was interesting. I did not use the word 'fat' or insinuate that there was anything wrong with being heavy. Obviously the people listed here are in a very sorry state from a medical perspective and that is sad.
posted by Wet Wednesday at 6:39 AM on September 28, 2001


For the life of me, I can't understand the people who kept attacking on the people who posted this link. Lack of anythign else to do?
posted by adampsyche at 6:46 AM on September 28, 2001


It seems like that's been happening a lot lately, folks being very particular about what's "proper" for linking off of MeFi. Has it always been like this? I've only been reading here for about six months, so maybe people have always been a bit anal about things.

Of course, I am now fully ready to be torn a new one for even bringing this up.
posted by ice_cream_motor at 7:05 AM on September 28, 2001


hincandenza: Trust me, bud, I know I'm a chunky-monkey (veiled ice cream reference. But 1,000+ pounds still boggles my mind.
posted by owillis at 7:21 AM on September 28, 2001


No, it hasn't always been like that, and I find the "link police" the most annoying, anal-retentive of the "members" here. Geez louise people, if you've got nothing better to do than to complain about a freakin' link, your life is less meaningful than I can possibly imagine. Reminds me of a member -- an ordained minister, no less -- who made fun of a poster yesterday because of his grammar!

Sorry we're not all perfect.

Sorry we're not all just like you.
posted by yarf at 7:22 AM on September 28, 2001


ice cream motor,

It all started (for me) back in May, when some douchebag reamed me for my PFD link. I'm still hurting after months of therapy.

Sorry about this post, I know it belongs on Metatalk. The fact that I'm posting it here makes me as bad as them. Time for more therapy.
posted by dfowler at 7:22 AM on September 28, 2001


I found it interesting. I am sure there are numerous metatalk discussions on this. can anyone point them out to me?

Anyway, I guess this raises the typical 20-21st Century question: victim or glutton? Mixture of both? At what point do you say, holy shit, I better eat healthy? At 300 pounds, or at 600? By the same token, how do you know when to quit drinking, when you lose your job, or your family?
posted by adampsyche at 7:22 AM on September 28, 2001


At what point do you say, holy shit, I better eat healthy?

Errr - whatever your weight?
posted by andrew cooke at 7:27 AM on September 28, 2001


Back to the subject at hand... it seems to me that the reason behind these peoples' conditions go a lot further than just "that second helping of onion rings." Clearly there are physiological (glandular, metabolic, whatever) and psychological factors at play here.

Think about it; would you be able to make yourself weigh 1000 pounds (by definition, half a TON) if you *tried*?
posted by Fofer at 7:41 AM on September 28, 2001


victim or glutton? Mixture of both?

Both. Sometimes the glutton part is difficult to avoid and unintentional. you get to a certain weight, movement becomes more difficult. At a certain point, I would think, even a semi-normal diet causes weight gain because of a lack of general movement and therefore exercise. personally, I had the holy shit thought about a year ago because I was approaching 300, I'm 6' 4" so that's not way out of range but still, and out of breath after walking a flight of stairs. However, I could not imagine being faced with needing to lose hundreds of pounds
posted by srw12 at 7:44 AM on September 28, 2001


Someone once said something alone the lines of 'walk in another man's shoes for a mile, and then you can comment.'

Nah, forget that.

I lean towards the self inflicted, rather than victim. Allowing people to abdicate responsibility is just too dangerous, so I blame the parents and the individual.

As for the pictures aaron, if you were female, living in the UK and an attractive person, I would happily consent. However, as you appear not to be, I will respectfully recline your request as I don't wish to feed any blogging stalker fetish that you may have.
posted by Wet Wednesday at 7:45 AM on September 28, 2001


I gained 350lbsplus in 28 months from severe endocrine illness that took 5 total years to diagnosed. The use of steroids for asthma, Severe PCOS(Stein Levanthl--I have a severe rare adrenal related form of this disorder, sleep apnea and Hypothyroidism led to this weight gain. The first diagnosis of the hypothyroidism stopped the gain. It took me two more years with a standing appt at Mayo and help from a medical journalist friend to find out what was wrong with me. I had showed signs of the severe PCOS from teenagehood where doctors misdiagnosed me over and over--(My menses had ceased forever at age 21. Husband, Friends and family were always supportive and knew I had a medical condition since I ate less or normally. Diet Journals illustrate my caloric intake at 6 feet of height to average 2100 calories a day. I had many other severe symptoms with the gain including the lost of hair, exhaustion, skin ulcers, etc.

I have lost 170lbs of the weight over the past three years (peak weight 630lbs now 450) but water retention-lymphedema complicates this weight loss. I still intend to lose more weight. Not all fat people overeat and or gluttons. For those who do they are usually suffering from satiety disorders which have been PROVEN to be brainbased not psychological failures of will or moral fortitude. Most severely obese people have a hard time getting their medical needs served. It took me 5 years and I saw many doctors who sent me home with no tests and admonishments to diet.

There is so much misunderstanding concerning the severely obese, it is not funny. It saddened me to see this misunderstanding being repeated over and over on this board. Most people who attain such great weights are in fact dealing with a failure in the metabolic axis, endocrine system and other disorders. Those who eat to be that weight are dealing with brain induced problems. Children who have brain surgery for tumors and end up with a hypothalamic lesion, will eat uncontrollably afterwards.
posted by Budge at 7:48 AM on September 28, 2001


before i get arrested by the spelling/grammar/error police, i meant 'along' rather than 'alone' and 'decline' rather than 'recline.' Thank you for your understand.
posted by Wet Wednesday at 7:55 AM on September 28, 2001


I know I left out a couple words and there's a few spelling errors. Wannabe anal English teachers on line are annoying.
posted by Budge at 7:59 AM on September 28, 2001


Budge, I actually retract partially my last statement. I know FA about the subject and thus really should not comment. Budge, thanks for the insight, it is always good to have ones ignorance stamped upon.
posted by Wet Wednesday at 8:14 AM on September 28, 2001


Budge makes a very good point. I bet that almost all of the people that made the 900 club are not just lazy bastards that stuff themselves silly at every opportunity. Instead, some kind of physical/mental condition is at the root of their gross, gross, fatness.

Obviously, most of the population doesn't have that, but is still overweight. In my opinion, this is due to their sedetary lifestyle and bad food choices, lack of excercise, etc. It's a lifestyle choice people make, though most whine how they wish they could loose weight.

But the people above are sick, not simply lazy.
posted by Witold at 9:10 AM on September 28, 2001


thanks budge. i don't really know what say except it's nice read something besides speculation on any topic.
posted by o2b at 9:14 AM on September 28, 2001


"The world's most cancerous people. And by god are they sick."

Morbid obesity is a devastating illness, and I'm no more interested in gawking at them than I am in watching the flesh fall off lepers.

Thanks, budge, but despite your well-informed post, there will be another thread like this in a few weeks.
posted by frykitty at 9:31 AM on September 28, 2001


... i liked the fat cats link ...

Thanks for speaking up, Budge.
posted by Sapphireblue at 9:40 AM on September 28, 2001


It's an interesting link. We're having a discussion about it. I think some of you just wait for something insensitive or intolerant to be said so you can pounce and flex your bleeding heart.
posted by glenwood at 9:43 AM on September 28, 2001


Its unfortunate that they are unable or unwilling to get help or recognize the severity of their condition yet I blame society. Society made them what they are.

Hmm... I wonder how they are weighed?
posted by euphorb at 10:28 AM on September 28, 2001


I think some of you just wait for something insensitive or intolerant to be said so you can pounce and flex your bleeding heart.

And some of you just wait until something is said that might be construed as "PC", so you can pounce all over that and show everyone what an independent thinker you are.
posted by jpoulos at 11:19 AM on September 28, 2001


Thank God we can now go back to gawking at people that we don't see as "normal".
posted by hijinx at 11:25 AM on September 28, 2001


Think about it; would you be able to make yourself weigh 1000 pounds (by definition, half a TON) if you *tried*?

Check this thread for a partial answer to the question.
posted by JDC8 at 7:16 PM on September 28, 2001


I wonder if all these fat folk will turn to really big, horrifying lumps of fat-folk-shaped soap?
posted by pracowity at 6:51 AM on September 29, 2001


Society would probably treat them better as soap.
posted by hijinx at 3:39 PM on September 29, 2001


Didn't anyone else notice that 89% of those people in the 900 club are from the USA? Are we sure this is a 'medical or mental' thing? A disease that only majorly affects the US? Me thinks not.
posted by wackybrit at 6:33 PM on September 29, 2001


*backs into a corner, brandishing a broken bottle *
posted by stavrosthewonderchicken at 6:28 AM on September 30, 2001


Hm, I imagine clinical depression also has higher diagnosis rates in so-called developed nations as well. That mean it's a load of crap too?
posted by gnomeloaf at 10:48 AM on September 30, 2001


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