William Howard Taft, the United States’ heaviest president (NY Times)
Notoriously known as the fattest president of the US, William Taft struggled with his weight and image. He had to endure the journalists and cartoonists, who had a field day with his unconventional image. Recent findings indicated that his fight against obesity was rather modern. He exercised, had a personal trainer, went on a low carb and low fat diet and even weighed himself daily. He had counsel from many major health gurus of the time. Today, he might have been offered weight loss surgery or diet pills. Unfortunately, professionals still haven’t found the perfect diet that satiates the hunger. Taft often complained about feeling constant pangs of hunger. But he never gave up. He fluctuated from 350 to 255 pounds. When he died, he was 280 pounds. Taft had the kind of medical care that doctors today strive to give their patients.
