Jessica Leonard entered the world as a perfectly healthy baby, just like any other infant. No one could have predicted that by age seven, she would become the heaviest child of her age, tipping the scales at an astonishing 200 kilograms. Her extraordinary weight made headlines, but behind the media frenzy lay a painful reality.
Her mother, Caroline Shu Tug, remembers Jessica’s early years fondly—she was lively, healthy, and seemingly full of life. Caroline notes that the turning point came when Jessica never said “no” to food. Adored and pampered—perhaps a little too much—by her family, she was endlessly indulged with fast food, snacks, pastries, chips, and nuts in quantities far exceeding what any child should eat.
Although her parents don’t recall the exact moment things spiraled out of control, the wake-up call arrived when Jessica’s weight reached a critical 220 kilograms at just seven years old, impairing her breathing and mobility. At that point, she was rushed to East Tennessee Children’s Hospital in critical condition—an intervention that caught the attention of child protective services.
Jessica’s story reached a larger audience when she appeared on a television show, initially as more of a sensational “gimmick.” Her mother’s heartfelt plea for help did not go unheard. Renowned dietitians and nutritionists stepped in, and Caroline began attending parenting classes to better support her daughter’s recovery once she was discharged.
At the clinic, Jessica faced the daunting challenge of restructuring her relationship with food. Months of strict diets, guided exercise, therapy, and sheer determination followed. The transformation was dramatic: she shed 140 kilograms and underwent surgery to remove over 10 kilograms of excess skin.
Today, Jessica is a new person—active, lean, and enthusiastic about gymnastics and basketball. She embraces a healthy diet and lifestyle, a testament to her extraordinary resilience and the support of her family and care team.
