Experienced abuse in childhood leading to binge eating since 20s
Currently undergoing treatment for depression
[Asia Economy Reporter Na Ye-eun] The current status of Paul Mason (62), who was listed in the UK Guinness Book as the 'world's heaviest man' weighing 508kg over a decade ago, has been revealed.
On the 3rd (local time), the British media outlet The Sun focused on Paul Mason under the headline 'Who is Paul Mason, the world's heaviest man who asked for help,' and reported on his current situation.
Paul Mason was born in Ipswich, UK, in 1960. Having experienced abuse in his childhood, he developed emotional anxiety and began binge eating in his twenties. At that time, he easily consumed 40 chocolate bars and 100 packs of fruit bars daily. Due to poor eating habits, his teeth deteriorated, and he even pulled out about ten of his own teeth at home.
Later, Paul Mason wished to undergo gastric bypass surgery to lose weight. Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that restricts the size of the stomach or connects the stomach directly to the small intestine to treat severe obesity and related complications. He requested coverage under the National Health Service but was initially denied. After 10 years, approval was granted, and he underwent the surgery in 2010, losing 295kg and having 46 stones removed.
By 2014, Paul Mason's weight was measured at 140kg, successfully losing a total of 304kg.
As he lost weight, Paul Mason underwent surgery to remove excess skin in May 2015 at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York. The removed loose skin reportedly weighed between 22 and 27kg. Afterward, he weighed 127kg and began living in a boarding house in the United States.
However, after breaking up with his girlfriend in 2019, symptoms of food addiction reappeared, and by 2019 his weight had increased to 230kg, nearly doubling. Eventually, he returned to the UK to receive treatment covered by the UK health insurance system.
Currently, Paul Mason lives alone in a protective housing facility in Plymouth. Although he gained about 9kg due to lockdowns caused by the novel coronavirus infection, he stated that he is "living steadily while receiving treatment for depression."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
