The Woman Who Can't Gain Weight

Meet Lizzie Velasquez, a 24 year-old woman who cannot gain weight. Doctors believe that she was born with a form of Neonatal Progeriod Syndrome (NPS) which is general characterized by premature aging, a large skull filled with veins, and decreased body fat.  

 Check out Lizzie Speaking at a TEDx Event!

 Lizzie was born four weeks prematurely and at a mere 2lbs and 11 ounces.
She has nearly zero percent body fat as she was born without adipose (fat) tissue. To sustain her energy levels she needs to eat nearly 60 times a day and consumes between 5000-8000 Calories daily. Lizzie's medical condition isn't fully understood and is extremely rare--only two other people in the world are known to share the same condition. Scientists have been studying Lizzie for over ten years and feel that they are very close to determining to gene that causes her condition which could lead to a cure in the future.

Lizzie has overcome tremendous odds as doctors feared that she would not survive her condition. Lizzie is currently a college graduate as a communications major and has used her condition and skills to to become a motivational speaker.