Kerala Girl Dies from Extreme Diet, Highlighting Dangers of Anorexia

An 18-year-old girl from Kerala, known as Sree Nanda, tragically lost her life after adopting a harsh diet that included only hot water for an extended period. She had ceased consuming solid foods and was significantly underweight at the time of her passing, weighing merely 24 kilograms. This drastic measure led to her being severely malnourished and ultimately contributed to her untimely death.

Sree Nanda was admitted to Thalassery Cooperative Hospital's Intensive Care Unit in a critical state, 12 days before her demise. Her condition was dire, with extremely low blood sugar and sodium levels, as well as blood pressure. She was put on ventilator support in an attempt to save her life. However, despite the medical team's efforts, she could not be saved and succumbed to her condition. The underlying cause of her health issues was identified as anorexia, a severe eating disorder characterized by an irrational fear of weight gain, which severely affected her health.

It was revealed that Sree Nanda had been influenced by online resources promoting weight loss and had embarked on this extreme diet for about five to six months. Her family noticed her refusal to eat, observed that she concealed food given to her, and depended solely on hot water for nourishment. This behavior raised concerns about the impact of misleading online health advice.

Two months prior to her passing, her family, concerned about her deteriorating condition, sought medical help at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The professionals there recommended psychiatric consultation, highlighting her critical need for mental health support. This tragic incident underscores the importance of early intervention and the crucial role of awareness in preventing such extreme cases of dieting and the potential fatalities they can cause.

Medical experts are calling for increased awareness and timely intervention to avert similar tragedies. They stress the need for proper guidance and support for individuals showing signs of eating disorders such as anorexia. The tragic loss of Sree Nanda emphasizes the dangers of extreme dieting practices and the critical importance of seeking professional help when dealing with eating disorders.