Eating Disorders

Question
Dear Sir, on the Classic TV Series, "The Beverly Hillbillies," the character named Jethro seems to eat eight meals a day and finish off five times more food than a normal person at each sitting. Is this medically possible, or just a fanciful Hollywood exaggeration? Even if there was a psychiatric reason behind his eating, could a person with a high metabolism burn up that much food much less eat that much?

Answer
Max Baer, Jr., the man who played Jethro, still lives in California and is the son of a professional boxer Max Baer, Sr..   The son started to pursue a boxing career, but didn't fare as well as his dad.  He landed the role in the Beverly Hillbillies which served him well until it ended.  He's remained in the role of producer/director over the years and even a bit active in politics.

Only one part of this has anything to do with anyone being able to eat voraciously without gaining weight.  Professional atheletes, like boxers, have a much higher muscle mass which results in an equally higher metabolism.   Jethro was an overly muscular big guy in the series and though exaggerated, yes, being able to eat more without the effects of weight gain would be possible.  Just like it is with Olympic atheletes, professional body builders and anyone with very high muscle mass.  

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