Elizabeth’s weight gain began in college when she became increasingly sedentary, a problem that only intensified when she started dating a partner who also led a sedentary lifestyle. Together, they frequently ordered delivery meals—pizzas, burrito bowls, cheeseburgers, and fries—and rarely cooked, pushing Elizabeth’s weight to 270 lbs. In 2016, driven

Sofia grew up with a culinary backdrop that normalized chips as a regular side, pasta as a thrice-weekly dinner staple, and fresh bread as an essential for both lunch and dinner. However, as she grew older and her autonomy over her dietary choices increased, Sofia found herself trapped in a

At 538.8 lbs., David knew his relationship with food was detrimental. His typical lunch involved visits to three fast-food joints, consuming over 6,000 calories, and he found daily activities overwhelmingly difficult. “I couldn’t stand up in the shower for 10 minutes,” he said. “I even needed a chair to do

After eight years of weighing nearly 300 lbs., Evelyn reached her breaking point during a vacation with friends in 2019. “There’s this place called Hopewell Rocks that goes down to the ocean floor, but you have to go down about 500 steps. I stood there and knew I couldn’t do

As the single mother of a newborn, Melissa faced immense pressure that severely impacted her health. Living in the Bronx, N.Y., she had to opt for a lower-paying job with flexible hours to care for her daughter, Ashley. Most of Melissa’s earnings were spent on providing healthy meals for Ashley,

Ever since high school, Madison felt like she was “battling” her weight. She started dieting at age 15, and for years afterward, the New Jerseyan, who has since been diagnosed with a binge eating disorder, would yo-yo back and forth — Madison estimates she’s lost and gained a significant amount