Generally there are two types of people we see on this show. We have the famewhores who have turned their weight issues into their job of sorts. These are the people who have been on more than one show, have worked in porn, have articles in which they've bragged about their sex lives or in other ways worked to become famous for their size. The other group are people who are poor and desperate. This show is their chance to qualify for a surgery they very well may not be able to afford, whether for limited health insurance or the inability to move the Houston to be near Dr. Now. While the show never states specifically how people are compensated, it seems pretty clear that they are helped to some extent, possibly apartments and rental cars. Wealthy people, unless they have a great desire for fame and have not learned the difference between good attention and bad attention, are not going to participate in this show.
If we look at the entire series, that vast majority of people have worked. Some lost their jobs at some point, often seemingly related to their increased weight. Amber, Chuck and Chay immediately come to mind. Some did specialty porn but it was not disclosed on the show. Others seemed to have family support, for example, Olivia.
Marla seems to have severe psychological issues. She has created a hell that she and her daughter are trapped in. I feel very sorry for her daughters. She is a horrible burden to bear.
She did say early in the show that she was concerned her legs could not support her weight. That fear could have fueled some of her behavior. Of course, the less she tried, the harder it became. She also seemed stoned out of her mind in the hospital scene with Dr. Now. She could barely keep her eyes open.
On a weird note, I went to urgent care today with an ear infection. I was chatting with the nurse. They had me sitting up on the bed with my legs stretched out in front of me and kept rolling me from one side of the room to the other (the better scope was on one side; ear irrigation system was on the other). I told them I felt like I was on My 600 lb. Life. The nurse had recently seen the show and got the reference, Unfortunately I forgot to tell her it was my Cleopatra moment.
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