An 18-year-old girl from Kerala’s Kannur district tragically lost her life due to severe health complications caused by prolonged starvation and extreme dietary restrictions. Originally from Koothuparamba, Sreenanda was a first-year undergraduate student at Mattannur Pazhassiraja NSS College and had been struggling with an eating disorder known as anorexia nervosa.
It is a serious eating disorder where individuals develop an obsessive fear of weight gain and drastically restrict their food intake. Despite being underweight, those affected often see themselves as overweight and take extreme measures to avoid eating. Experts have observed an increase in such cases, especially in the post-COVID period.
According to her family, she skipped meals and engaged in excessive exercise, reportedly following extreme diet plans found online. She survived primarily on a water diet, which eventually led to an extreme state of severe malnutrition and starvation. Her condition had reportedly persisted for five to six months, during which she secretly reduced her food intake. A relative revealed that she would hide the food given by her parents and survive only on hot water.
Around five months ago, she was taken to a hospital, where doctors advised her family to ensure she ate properly and sought psychiatric support. Two months ago, she underwent tests at Kozhikode Medical College, where doctors again stressed the importance of proper nutrition and mental health care. However, her health continued to deteriorate.
Two weeks ago, her condition became critical when her blood sugar dropped dangerously low, and she began experiencing severe breathing difficulties. She was rushed to Thalassery Co-operative Hospital and placed in intensive care.
Dr. Nagesh Manohar Prabhu, a consultant physician at Thalassery Co-operative Hospital, stated that she was brought to the hospital in a critical state about 12 days ago and was immediately admitted to the ICU. “She weighed only 24 kg and was completely bedridden. Her blood sugar, sodium levels, and blood pressure were alarmingly low. Despite being placed on ventilator support, her condition did not improve, and she sadly passed away,” Dr. Prabhu said.