Mexican known as the world's most obese man dies at 41

Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Mexican Juan Pedro Franco, known internationally for having been the world's most obese man, died at age 41 from a kidney infection with systemic complications, his treating physician and local media reported Monday.

José Antonio Castañeda, the doctor who had treated Franco since 2017, confirmed the death in a statement and said the patient had been hospitalized as his health deteriorated in recent days.

"In recent days, his health condition was compromised by a kidney infection that progressed with systemic complications, which led to his death while he was hospitalized," the specialist said.

Franco gained global attention in 2017, when Guinness World Records recognized him as the heaviest person in the world. At the time, he was 32 years old and weighed about 1,312 pounds, a condition that left him unable to walk and confined to bed.

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That same year, he began comprehensive medical treatment under Castañeda's supervision. The process included a Mediterranean-style diet emphasizing fruits and vegetables, followed by two bariatric surgeries: a gastric sleeve and a gastric bypass.

As a result of the treatment, Franco reduced approximately 49% of his initial body weight, an outcome considered significant given the extreme health conditions he faced when he entered the program.

In 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Franco also recovered from a coronavirus infection, despite being at high risk due to severe obesity. His doctor said that episode reflected the improvement achieved after completing his bariatric treatment and the positive impact of sustained health changes.

Castañeda described Franco's case as a "complex and challenging" medical process that helped raise awareness of obesity as a chronic disease requiring specialized care, empathy and a science-based approach, beyond the social stigma that often surrounds it.

"Juan Pedro's case helped generate awareness about obesity and motivated many people to face their own health challenges," the physician said.