Kerala girl’s fatal water fasting: UAE doctors urge parents to stay vigilant

Dubai: Anorexia nervosa — an eating disorder characterised by extreme food restriction — is a potentially life-threatening condition, doctors have warned, urging parents to be more aware of its signs.

This call for attention comes after the death of a teenage girl in Kerala, India, last week. She reportedly succumbed to complications from water fasting for months, a practice she had learnt from an online portal. She had also been hiding food from her parents. Individuals with this disorder have an intense fear of gaining weight, along with an obsessive focus on food, calories and dieting.

Doctors cited a few studies to highlight that while anorexia nervosa is rare in the UAE, it remains a serious mental health issue.

“Yes, cases of anorexia nervosa, where individuals severely restrict food intake, have been observed in the UAE. It involves extreme food restriction, fear of weight gain, and distorted body image,” said Dr Fiji Antony, Head of the Department and Chief Clinical Dietitian at NMC Specialty Hospital in Al Nahda, Dubai.

She stressed that eating disorders are becoming an increasing concern among adolescents and young adults in the region. “It’s important to note that eating disorders are often underreported due to stigma and a lack of awareness,” Dr Antony said.

Survive only on water?

Dr Shahid Gauhar, Specialist Paediatrician at Prime Hospital, pointed out that bizarre eating behaviours can be observed in children in the UAE.

“Typically, these disorders tend to present on the milder end of the spectrum,” he said.

Dr Gauhar noted that a person cannot survive for long on water alone, as in the case of the Kerala teenager.

“Studies suggest that a person can survive for approximately three weeks on water alone, but this depends on factors such as overall health, body fat composition, and other physiological conditions,” Dr Gauhar said.

Meanwhile, Dr Antony underlined that prolonged water-only fad diets can cause severe malnutrition, muscle loss, weakened immune function, electrolyte imbalances and organ damage.

“Such diets are very dangerous and should be avoided,” she warned.

Highest mortality rate

Dr Singh noted that anorexia nervosa can be fatal, as seen in the Kerala case.

“It has the highest mortality rate of any mental health disorder. It’s incredibly harmful to the body and can lead to long-term health problems,” Dr Singh said, and added that treating anorexia requires a comprehensive approach, typically involving medical care, psychotherapy, nutritional counselling, and family therapy.

Educate themselves about the medical condition,

Recognise early signs of anorexia and intervene,

Have open conversations with children,

Be patient and non-judgemental,

Seek professional help,

Structure meals to promote healthy eating habits,

Encourage overall healthy living,

Monitor progress and recovery,

Avoid power struggles over food,

Provide emotional support.