Fast Weight Loss Diet Dangers: A Real Case That India Must Not Ignore

In March 2025 I read a heartbreaking news story from Kerala that stayed with me for days. A 19 year old girl named Sreenanda lost her life because she followed an extreme fasting routine that she found online. She was living only on water for months because she wanted quick weight loss. When she died, she weighed only 24 kg.

As a nutrition coach I talk about these risks every day yet this incident reminded me how dangerous fast weight loss diets can become. It is not only about the diet. The real danger is the pressure to look perfect the influence of social media and the lack of proper guidance.

I want to share this story in simple words so that anyone who reads it understands why extreme dieting is not safe.

Her case, as reported by the Times of India, is not just another health headline; it serves as a brutal and deeply personal reminder of how the pressure to be thin, especially for young women, can have devastating consequences. Sreenanda had fallen into a dangerous cycle of restriction, misinformation and obsession. What was the origin of her influence? Popular content online includes influencers who promote unverified “detox” challenges, zero-calorie fasting routines and spiritual diets.” Diets promising transformation without nourishment.

In a digital era flooded with filtered bodies, viral transformations and so-called “wellness gurus,” we often fail to pause and ask:
What’s the real cost of this kind of dieting?

The cost, as it turns out, can be someone’s life.

This is not just an isolated incident. The rise of eating disorders, crash dieting and unsupervised fasting is climbing in India and around the world. Social media has become both a mirror and a magnifier; reflecting insecurities and amplifying dangerous narratives about how bodies should look.

Fast weight loss diets aren’t a shortcut. It’s a slow descent into physical, emotional and mental deterioration.

As more people seek rapid weight loss through unsustainable practices driven by Instagram reels, trending YouTube diets or even seemingly “spiritual” food philosophies; we must confront what’s often ignored-
The very real, very dangerous consequences of extreme dieting.

This blog aims to shed light on:

• What happened in Sreenanda’s case and why it matters
• How fast weight loss diet harms the body and mind
• The truth about popular fad diets
• How to pursue health and weight loss safely

Because true health is not about shrinking; it’s about strengthening.
Not about punishment; but nourishment.
And definitely not about fear but about freedom from misinformation.

Let’s break down the myths and face the reality of fast weight loss diet before another life is lost.

What Happened in Kerala and Why It Matters

When I learned more about the case I felt shocked.

In pursuit of what she believed was a healthier, thinner version of herself, Sreenanda reportedly adopted an extreme “water fasting” regimen she found online, one that promised rapid weight loss and “spiritual cleansing.” However, she was unaware that she was embarking on a perilous path towards a severe eating disorder: anorexia nervosa.

Anorexia nervosa is not just about eating less; it’s a serious psychological illness that distorts a person’s body image and leads them to fear weight gain at any cost. The result is extreme food restriction, malnutrition, organ damage and in severe cases, death.

According to the Times of India, Sreenanda had stopped eating solid food for nearly a year. Her daily “diet” consisted mostly of water, sometimes with lemon or salt, mimicking the trends she’d seen online. The prolonged deprivation had a significant impact on her health. She grew weak, was bedridden, and experienced sharp weight loss. When her condition became critical, she was admitted to Thalassery Cooperative Hospital and placed on ventilator support but by then, the damage was irreversible. Her body had been pushed far beyond its limits.

At just 24 kilograms, Sreenanda’s body was in a state of advanced starvation. Her immune system was compromised, her muscles had wasted, and her organs were beginning to fail. Despite medical intervention, she passed away; a young life lost in the name of “wellness.”

What makes her death even more heartbreaking is that it was entirely preventable.

If only she had access to the right information.
If only she had been guided by qualified professionals.
If only the online space wasn’t filled with unchecked, glorified diet hacks.

Sreenanda’s case is not about a lack of willpower. It’s about the absence of proper guidance, the overexposure to toxic trends and the dangerous gap in mental health awareness.

Her death serves as a grim wake-up call:

• That fast weight loss diet is not a trend; it’s a medical emergency in the making.
• That not every “fitness influencer” is an expert.
• That what works for one person can destroy another.
• That weight loss, when pursued without knowledge or support, can lead to irreversible damage.

Sreenanda’s passing is not just a personal tragedy for her family; it’s a public health concern. It urges us to ask:

• Are we doing enough to educate young people about the risks of unsupervised diets?
• Are mental health resources accessible enough for those battling eating disorders?
• Are platforms regulating misleading diet content?

We owe it to her and to countless others silently suffering, to bring this issue to light, have hard conversations and build a culture of safe, sustainable and science-backed health practices.

What Fast Weight Loss Diets Do to the Body

Red Flags to Watch Out For

• Extreme calorie restriction (under 1000–1200 kcal/day)
• Fasting without proper nutrition
• Removing entire food groups like carbs or fats
• Overuse of detox drinks or meal replacements
• Compulsive calorie counting or weighing food

These practices may offer quick results on the scale but severely damage the body from within.

Physical Impact of Extreme Dieting

• Slowed metabolism
• Hormonal imbalance (thyroid, reproductive hormones, cortisol)
• Electrolyte imbalance, risking heart function
• Muscle loss and weakness
• Hair loss, brittle nails, dry skin
• Weakened immunity

One of the most severe extreme dieting dangers is that it quietly disrupts vital body functions, sometimes with irreversible consequences.

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How Diet Culture Affects the Mind

From Diet to Disorder

With social media influencers glorifying rapid weight loss, young minds are more vulnerable to disorders like:

• Anorexia nervosa
• Orthorexia (obsession with healthy eating)
• Body dysmorphia
• Exercise addiction

What begins as a desire to “get fit” often spirals into chronic fear, obsession and mental distress.

Among the extreme dieting dangers is the psychological toll it takes, leading to anxiety, isolation and disordered eating habits.

Dangers of Fad Diets

Most Common Fads and Their Risks

Diet Trend	What It Promises	What It Actually Does	Potential Health Damage
Juice Detoxes	Quick cleanse & rapid weight loss	Cuts out essential nutrients and fiber	Severe calorie deficit, electrolyte imbalance, muscle loss
No-Carb Diets	Fast fat burn & leaner body	Starves the brain of glucose and reduces muscle glycogen	Brain fog, constipation, muscle breakdown, mood swings
1200 Calorie Diets	Guaranteed fat loss	Drastically underfeeds the body, especially for adults	Slowed metabolism, hormonal imbalance, anxiety
Unsupervised Fasting	Mental clarity & fat burning	Lacks essential nutrients; unsustainable long-term	Fainting, fatigue, irregular periods, thyroid dysfunction

Safe weight loss isn’t about starvation; it’s about strategy.

Extreme doesn’t mean effective. Long-term health comes from balance, education and expert support. The trap of fast weight loss diets lies in their short-term rewards but long-term damage.

Why Starving Yourself Never Works

Starvation Is Not Sustainable

When the body is deprived of essential nutrients:

• Immunity weakens, leading to frequent illness
• Skin and hair lose vitality
• Cognitive function declines (brain fog, poor focus)
• Hormonal balance is disrupted
• Cravings and binge eating tendencies increase

Instead of becoming healthier, your body enters survival mode, slowing all functions to preserve energy.

The worst part about extreme dieting dangers is that they promise health but deliver harm, often irreversibly.

How I Recommend Losing Weight Safely

Set Realistic Goals

• Aim to lose 0.5 to 1 kg per week

• Avoid rapid loss; it often means muscle and water, not fat

Follow Balanced Nutrition

• Include adequate protein: lentils, paneer, eggs, fish, chicken

• Eat complex carbs: rice, roti, oats, sweet potatoes

• Use healthy fats moderately: ghee, nuts, olive oil

Focus on Lifestyle

• Combine strength training and cardio for better metabolism

• Stay hydrated and prioritize 7–8 hours of sleep

• Avoid skipping meals or drastic calorie reductions

Listen to Professionals

• Always consult a certified dietitian or nutritionist before starting a new diet plan

• Avoid taking advice from unverified online sources

My Message After Seeing the Kerala Case

The young girl did not lose her life because she wanted to lose weight.
She lost her life because she trusted the wrong information.

If you are trying to lose weight, please remember this

Health is not a competition. Your life is more important than any number on the scale. Your body needs care, not punishment. Choose safe methods. Choose nourishment. Choose guidance.