“Doctors monitored Barbieri’s blood pressure and vitals throughout his unprecedented 13-month fast, which reduced his weight by 60%.”
Angus Barbieri, a 456-pound Scotsman, made medical history in 1965 by completing a 382-day fast under doctor supervision, consuming only water and vitamins. Prescribed by Dr. David R. G. H. Watson to address life-threatening obesity, the 27-year-old shed 276 pounds while maintaining daily activities. Remarkably, Barbieri’s vital signs remained stable throughout the extreme regimen, with regular medical monitoring ensuring safety. “He went about his normal life, working, living, chatting with friends,” records show.
The case, documented in the Scottish Medical Journal, remains the longest recorded therapeutic fast. While experts caution against unsupervised emulation, Barbieri’s transformation—from 207kg to 82kg—stands as a radical testament to human endurance. His post-fast health outcomes were reportedly positive, though long-term effects remain debated in medical circles.
