Pattaya Daily News

Every culture has people who are grossly overweight, but when do we say enough is enough! When do we decide that now is time to take responsibility for our weight and our own health. Information found from the first century states a case of a man Nichomachus of Smyrna who was so heavy that he could not move or be moved from his bed.  Another story tells of a Roman Senator who was only able to walk if two slaves carried his belly.

A man who was notorious for his appetite, Dionysius of Heracleia, grew so heavy that he could scarcely budge, suffering from apnea or narcolepsy (a person stops breathing for periods whilst sleeping), prompted his doctors to prick his flesh whenever he fell asleep on his throne. One man was so large he had a semi circle cut from his dining table in order that he could get near during mealtimes. Not having anyone to help him, he wore a sling around his shoulders in order to carry his belly.

An attempt to put a woman on show in 1889 was abandoned when try as they may, eight men could not move her from her room and she would not fit through the door. For many years, the Guinness Book of Records was a source of information on the heaviest men and women, but has in recent years stopped its annual listing.

One Carol Yager, born 1960 and died 1994, was 5 ft 7in and her estimated weight was more than 1600. She was admitted to hospital in 1993 suffering from cellulites, losing nearly 500lbs on a 1200 calorie diet, but she regained it all on her return home. Her carers were her daughter, boyfriend and a group of volunteers and despite media exposure through Jerry Springer and extravagant promises from a diet guru she received little in return though Springer continued to profit from her appearances. She was later refused further treatment as her health was not considered critical even though her kidneys were failing. She died a few weeks later.

Denny Welch from the US achieved fame from being a frequent guest on the Jerry Springer show, his first appearance as a female impersonator. As his weight rose, Welch became house bound. Springer paid to have a wall removed and had him transported to a hospital for weight reduction while televising the whole progress.

Welch lost 200 pounds, but soon regained it all, developing a heart condition at the same time as a result of the diet medication. His body was so swollen, it looked ready to burst. Welch faced criminal charges for allegedly showing pornographic videos to minors.

So, how does one know when the time has come to lose weight?   Take a serious look in the mirror.

Sarah Goldman

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