i don't usually make weight jokes because it is ok that we come in all different shapes and sizes, but i have to admit that my first thought when i read your statement was - "if she was thaaat big, who was willing to help her get pregnant?"

[quote=Lady Sidhe],I just don't understand healthy people letting themselves get like that.

They are not "healthy"--not in body nor in mind. And probably not in the glands.

She was obviously ill waaaay before she let the couch grow onto her. Frankly, I'm surprised I haven't stumbled on this particular tragedy yet. I've seen a lot of weird stuff going into the home's of those Medicaid deemed worthy to get home health care. I've never seen a couch and woman mesh. I HAVE seen other stuff, though.

Just strange that those stories always happen on the other side of the ocean...
I saw Super Size Me 2 weeks ago and IMO America has a big big problem...

Cheetos are not a lifestyle choice in other parts of the world.

I blame high fructose corn syrup -- at least partially. It's in everything these days in place of sugar. There are a number of studies that show that hfcs acts more like a fat than a sugar. I also saw reports of another study that shows that the rise of obesity in the US exactly mirrors the rise of hfcs as a replacement for sugar.

Update on the deceased
 

This is really sad, but it does explain a lot more than the original stories did.Full Story

I see no mention of mental disability.

It sounds like she did it to herself mostly.

That IS really sad. I can't believe the siblings didn't do more. Sure, they can't force her to get off the couch, but if she is living in her own shit, and trash and rotting food are scattered throughout the house, there is an obvious need there. Her sister saw her two weeks before she died. Why didn't she do something?

What a family.

She was probably "always like that."

They didn't notice any difference, so they didn't do anything about it.

Here is something Alan just sent me. Kinda along the same lines as the woman who was stuck to her couch.

Warning: The photos on the page are kinda gross.
http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/...t10045_fm.html