Most people can survive without food for a few weeks, maybe longer, but starvation eventually leads to death. The duration a person can endure without food is complex. While water deprivation is fatal within a week, starvation timelines vary dramatically. The key question is: Can Fat People Survive Longer Without Food?
The story of Angus Barbieri highlights the extremes of human endurance. This 27-year-old Scotsman consumed absolutely nothing for 382 days, concluding on July 11, 1966.
Documentation of Barbieri’s fast is limited. There are a few old newspaper stories and, more convincingly, a case report detailing his experience, published by his doctors in the Postgraduate Medical Journal in 1973. According to the report, Barbieri sought help at the University Department of Medicine at the Royal Infirmary of Dundee, Scotland. He was “grossly obese,” weighing 456 pounds. Initially, doctors prescribed a short fast to aid weight loss, but they didn’t anticipate its duration.
As foodless days turned into weeks, Barbieri was motivated to continue. Despite the perceived risks of fasts exceeding 40 days, he aimed for his “ideal weight” of 180 pounds. He maintained his daily life, primarily at home, with frequent hospital checkups. Regular blood-sugar tests confirmed his fasting state. He took vitamins, including potassium and sodium, and consumed calorie-free drinks like coffee, tea, and sparkling water. Occasionally, he added sugar or milk to his tea, especially towards the end of his fast.
Barbieri reached 180 pounds at the end of his fast. Five years later, he weighed 196 pounds, retaining almost all his weight loss.
The Body’s Limits and the Role of Fat Stores
Barbieri’s fast is an extreme example of starvation. Another case involved Dennis Galer Goodwin, who lasted 385 days on a hunger strike before being force-fed.
In 1964, researchers suggested “prolonged starvation” as a treatment for severe obesity, with one patient fasting for 117 days. Some patients have surpassed 200 days of fasting for medical reasons, although there has been at least one death during the refeeding period.
These cases demonstrate the body’s remarkable ability to survive off its fat reserves, given sufficient initial stores. However, such extreme diets are dangerous. No one survives without energy from food or fat stores indefinitely.
“Starvation” as a treatment was popular in the 1960s and 70s, but doctors abandoned it due to its high fatality rate. After a certain period, the body consumes fat and muscle, increasing the risk of a fatal heart attack. Even very low-calorie diets lacking sufficient nutrition have resulted in death, with autopsies showing starvation signs. Thus, while body fat provides a survival advantage, it’s not limitless.
The Complicated Question of Survival Without Food
Barbieri’s case illustrates the complexity of human survival without food. Before his first post-fast meal, he claimed to have forgotten the taste of food. He ate a boiled egg, a slice of bread with butter, and a cup of black coffee for breakfast.
According to the Chicago Tribune, he reported enjoying his egg and feeling very full.
The ability of obese individuals to potentially survive longer without food stems from their larger energy reserves stored as fat. However, this doesn’t negate the dangers of prolonged starvation. The body requires essential nutrients that fat stores alone cannot provide.
While larger individuals might statistically survive longer in total food deprivation compared to lean individuals, the real risk isn’t “total” food deprivation – it’s malnutrition and the cascade of negative health effects caused by critical vitamin and mineral deficiencies that accompanies extreme dieting.
Ultimately, the idea of simply relying on body fat for long-term survival is misleading and dangerous. Proper nutrition, even in a calorie-restricted setting, is far more important than simply having large fat reserves.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult with a healthcare professional before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.
References:
- Postgraduate Medical Journal: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2495396/pdf/postmedj00315-0056.pdf
- Chicago Tribune Archives: http://archives.chicagotribune.com/1966/07/12/page/5/article/scot-eats-his-1-st-solid-food-in-392-days
- BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3081604.stm
- JAMA: http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=1161598
- Scientific American: https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-long-can-a-person-sur/
- Business Insider: https://www.businessinsider.com/fasting-mimicking-diet-cure-disease-aging-2016-9
