I am not thin, in fact I need to lose about thirty pounds. This is one reason I was amazed that I had this thing. I has always heard Tapeworms sucked the life out of people and made them thin and frail. I do live in a very rural area with lots of wildlife. I mean I have to chase possums off the front porch. So I imagine the larva are everywhere. My dogs used to get Tapeworms from catching and eating rabbits. I'm pretty thin, but I guess I'm going to have to start wearing shoes now. Not easy for an ol' hillbilly.