An 18-year-old girl from Thalassery, Kerala, lost her life due to complications from anorexia nervosa after following an extreme water fasting regimen promoted on social media. She had reportedly abstained from food for nearly six months, severely affecting her health. She was admitted to the ICU at Thalassery Co-operative Hospital 12 days before her death but could not recover.

Dr. Nagesh Manohar Prabhu, a doctor at the hospital, said, "She was very weak, weighing only 24 kg and unable to move. Her sugar levels, sodium, and blood pressure were dangerously low. Even with ventilator support, her condition did not get better, and she passed away."

Doctors also said that the girl had been struggling with an eating disorder for over five months. She was obsessed with losing weight and mostly survived on hot water while secretly avoiding food without her family knowing.

What is Anorexia nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a serious eating disorder where a person has an intense fear of gaining weight. Even when underweight, they see themselves as overweight, leading them to dangerously restrict food or stop eating altogether.

This case shows the risk of extreme dieting, especially without medical supervision. Crash diets and water fasting have become popular for quick weight loss, but experts warn they can lead to severe health problems.

How dangerous are these diets

Deepti Khatuja, Chief Clinical Nutritionist at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon, said that crash diets may promise quick weight loss, but they are not sustainable and can harm long-term health.

"Crash dieting leads to unhealthy weight loss, tiredness, weak immunity, and even eating disorders. It can affect brain function, cause imbalances in the body, and lead to anxiety, depression, and early ageing. While these diets may seem cheap and give fast results, they can seriously damage overall health," she said.

Reshma Aleem, Senior Clinical Dietician at Rela Hospital, Chennai, also warned about the dangers of water fasting, the diet the girl was following. She explained that water fasting, often called a "zero-calorie diet," is done for weight loss or spiritual reasons. It works by repairing and recycling old cells, a process called autophagy.

 However, she stressed that it is not safe for everyone. "Water fasting usually lasts between 24 to 72 hours, and anything longer should only be done under medical supervision. It can be dangerous if done for too long," she said.

Fasting beyond 72 hours, especially without medical guidance, can cause dehydration, body imbalances, and serious health problems. It is particularly risky for people with conditions like gout, diabetes, or eating disorders.
Aleem recommended a balanced diet along with moderate physical activity as a healthier and more sustainable way to lose weight.

"Sometimes, we reduce carbohydrates slightly or follow a 500-calorie deficit per day to help with weight loss. This allows a safe and steady weight loss of around 0.5 kg per week. Losing up to 2 kg per month is considered ideal," she said.

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