A tragic incident in Kerala has drawn attention to the dangerous consequences of extreme dieting, especially when it is done without proper medical guidance. An 18-year-old girl from Thalassery, Kerala, has passed away due to complications from anorexia nervosa, after following a drastic water fasting regimen promoted by online platforms.
The young woman had abstained from food for nearly six months, subsisting primarily on hot water. Her condition became critical, and she was admitted to the ICU at Thalassery Co-operative Hospital 12 days before her death. According to Dr. Nagesh Manohar Prabhu, a consultant physician at the hospital, the girl weighed a mere 24 kg and was bedridden, with dangerously low levels of blood sugar, sodium, and blood pressure. Despite receiving ventilator support, she did not recover and succumbed to her condition.
Doctors confirmed that the teenager had struggled with an eating disorder for over five months, her obsession with weight loss causing her to hide her eating habits from her family. Anorexia nervosa, a severe eating disorder, leads individuals to avoid food due to an irrational fear of gaining weight. Even when dangerously underweight, these individuals often perceive themselves as overweight, which can lead to life-threatening behaviors such as complete food abstention.
This heartbreaking case highlights the risks associated with extreme diets, particularly when practiced without clinical supervision. Water fasting, often promoted as a quick fix for weight loss, has become an increasingly popular but risky method for shedding pounds. Experts warn that such diets, especially when prolonged, can have serious, lasting health consequences.
The Hidden Dangers of Extreme Diets
Deepti Khatuja, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute in Gurgaon, explains that while crash diets may promise rapid weight loss, they are inherently unsustainable and can cause significant long-term health issues. “Crash dieting often results in unhealthy weight loss, fatigue, weakened immunity, and even eating disorders. It can impair brain function, cause electrolyte imbalances, and lead to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression,” Khatuja said. “While these diets may seem appealing for quick results, they take a severe toll on overall health.”
Reshma Aleem, Senior Clinical Dietician at Rela Hospital in Chennai, specifically addressed the dangers of water fasting, the very diet the Kerala girl followed. “Water fasting is often seen as a ‘zero-calorie diet,’ and is sometimes pursued for weight loss or spiritual reasons,” Aleem said. “It works on the principle of autophagy, where the body repairs and recycles old cells. However, fasting beyond 72 hours without medical supervision is extremely dangerous. It can lead to dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and potentially fatal health complications.”
Aleem advised that water fasting, particularly beyond 72 hours, should never be attempted without professional oversight. She stressed the importance of balanced diets and regular physical activity as the safest and most sustainable approach to weight loss.
“Instead of extreme measures, a balanced diet combined with moderate exercise is the ideal way to lose weight. A small calorie deficit of around 500 calories per day can result in a healthy weight loss of 0.5 kg per week, with a safe monthly limit of 2 kg,” Aleem added.
As this tragedy underscores, the pursuit of quick weight loss through extreme diets not only jeopardizes physical health but can also lead to devastating psychological consequences. It is crucial that individuals seeking to lose weight approach the process with caution and under professional supervision.
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