Paul Mason, once dubbed the world's fattest man, has spoken about his battle with a '24/7 eating illness' that saw his weight reach 70 stone. The 50-year-old former postman from Ipswich relied on carers and consumed around £75-worth of takeaways and chocolate daily, with a calorie intake of 20,000—nearly ten times the recommended average.
Mason described his life as confined to bed, with supplies of chocolate, crisps, and sausage rolls always within reach. 'You have no sense of time, months all rolled into each other,' he said. 'For several years I didn't sleep properly because I was always eating. All I could think of was getting a quick fix of food.'
His food addiction, he believes, stemmed from childhood bullying for his height, heartbreak after a relationship ended, and his father's death. Food was a major part of family life, with his father insisting he clear his plate. His weight escalated from 25 stone at age 30 to 70 stone in the early 2000s.
Nearly two years ago, Mason underwent life-saving NHS gastric bypass surgery and has since lost 40 stone. He now faces new challenges, including coping with venturing outside and dealing with excess skin. 'It's an illness,' he said, urging understanding from others.
