Obese woman told she was "too fat to fly" home, dies of kidney failure

[Carolina]

57. Actually, Democratopia,

from the photo, she appears to have anasarca -- diffuse or generalized edema -- likely from her kidney failure. What caused the kidney failure is uncertain but in the US, the two main causes are hypertension and diabetes mellitus. We don't know the specifics of her case and shouldn't speculate or blame her for her condition. Rather, the poor judgment is foregoing dialysis and trying to fly in such a grave state.

I agree with you that obesity is a killer and that many instinctively judge the obese as lazy, undisciplined, irresponsible, gluttonous... But adrenal disease can cause obesity of the torso (called truncal obesity) as can corticosteroid treatment for autoimmune disorders, allergies, avoidance of organ transplant rejection. Other conditions and drugs can also play a role.

The cultural change in how food is grown and processed in the US along with the more sedentary lifestyle habits of much of the populace contributes to the dismaying stats on obesity in this country, but not everyone is able (time/work schedules, food sources, finances) to take charge of his/her life as you did and for which you are to be commended.

Yes, we all need to take responsibility, but for some it's more difficult than choices.