A 19-year-old college student, Sreenanda, lost her life to anorexia nervosa, a severe eating disorder that affects both the body and mind. Hailing from Meruvambayi, she had been undergoing treatment at Thalassery Cooperative Hospital but succumbed to complications on Saturday after being on ventilator support for four days.
A first-year degree student of Pazhassiraja NSS College, Mattannur, Sreenanda had been struggling with an extreme fear of gaining weight. According to her relatives, she had been restricting her food intake for the past year, leading to severe health deterioration.
Medical Condition and Declining Health
Dr. Nagesh Prabhu, who treated her at Thalassery Cooperative Hospital, revealed that her condition was critical upon arrival.
“Her blood pressure and pulse were dangerously low, and her blood sugar was in the 40-50 range. Severe electrolyte imbalances had also caused damage to her stomach and intestines. By the time she was brought to the hospital, she was bedridden and extremely underweight,” he explained.
While anorexia nervosa has a psychological aspect that requires mental health intervention, Dr. Prabhu stated that her condition had deteriorated to a point where psychiatric treatment was no longer an option.
Benefits of a Healthy Diet
✅ Provides Essential Nutrients – A well-balanced diet supports growth, immunity, and overall body function.
✅ Maintains Healthy Weight – Eating nutritious foods helps prevent obesity and related health issues.
✅ Boosts Mental Well-being – Proper nutrition plays a key role in brain function and mood stability.
✅ Prevents Chronic Diseases – A healthy diet reduces the risk of diabetes, heart disease, and other health conditions.
Disadvantages of Extreme Dieting or Poor Dieting Habits
❌ Nutritional Deficiencies – Restricting food intake can lead to severe deficiencies in vitamins and minerals.
❌ Weakened Immune System – Lack of proper nutrients makes the body more prone to infections.
❌ Mental Health Struggles – Anxiety, depression, and eating disorders often arise from extreme dieting.
❌ Organ Damage – Prolonged malnutrition can lead to irreversible damage to vital organs, as seen in Sreenanda’s case.
