Reality star dies weighing three and a half stone after anorexia battle
Nihal Candan tragically passed away at the weekend after shedding almost 40kg in the last two years.
Reality TV star Nihal Candan has died after struggling with anorexia. The reality star weighed three and a half stone when she died in hospital on June 21.
According to reports, the 30-year-old Turkish reality star dropped the weight after losing almost 40kg in the last two years. She was undergoing treatment in hospital and doctors said they were unable to revive her when her heart stopped.
Her sister announced the tragic news online and said she called the hospital last week to ask about her sister's health, reports the Mirror.
Fans paid tribute to the star, with one writing: "I literally cried over this. She was so young and beautiful," and another posting: "You left this world too early … But the energy, smile and memories you left behind are still with us."
Her sister has been sharing throwback pictures of her sister in recent days, with fans rushing to provide support for her.
In one snap, her sister wrote: "When I was in school, you used to write "I miss my love", now how am I without you." She captioned another family photo: "Why'd you leave us alone."
The Federation of Women's Association of Turkey released a statement following her tragic death as they spoke out against the "deadly pressure" society puts on women.
In a post shared on X, the federation warned of the "life-threatening risks" of TV and social media showcasing unrealistic beauty standards.
The post said: 'Nihal Candan's death due to anorexia nervosa once again reveals that the pressures and impositions placed on women's bodies by society can reach deadly levels.
"Aesthetic norms, the fantasy of a perfect body constantly reproduced by the media, and the feeling of "having to be beautiful" commodify women through TV programs and competitions, while simultaneously driving them to take life-threatening risks.
"This issue is, in fact, also a reflection of an inequality problem. We must discuss and talk about it extensively."
Earlier this month, Nihal's sister Bahar said her sister had been hospitalised, writing on social media: 'My sister was taken to the hospital, she has anorexia - do something, my sister is dying.
'She could not digest what she experienced. I hope you can feel remorse for slandering a young person like this and ruining her life.'
Nihal's mum also previously claimed that her daughter's diet consisted of just drinking soda and coffee.
It was said that Nihal's health deteriorated so much that, by the middle of this month, she needed a guardian to make medical decisions.
Nihal, who was born in Mersin, which is located on Turkey's Mediterranean coast, east of Antalya, first shot to fame on the reality TV competition Bu Tarz Benim.
For help and support on eating disorders contact Beat Eating Disorders on 0808 801 0677.
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She revealed: "One of my favourite pieces of feedback I ever had was when I first started out and the patient left a note to say, 'I really appreciated that the nurse somehow made me laugh in what was like a really difficult situation for myself'. She just talked about how she went away and felt really satisfied with the experience. She felt supported, didn't feel alone in that situation, and she felt confident about what had happened." Kendall also derives satisfaction from times when, during challenging safeguarding situations, when she's implemented much-needed support for an individual, "and maybe helped them to get out of, or to take a step to get out". She reflected: "There have been some horrible stories in the news recently about some really upsetting cases of femicide. I think knowing that maybe you play your role in preventing something like that by escalating those referrals." Under the Global Gag Rule, organisations such as MSI are prohibited from receiving US government funding as they provide abortion services, slashing access to services such as family planning and maternity centres in a campaign Kendall fears will "result in deaths of millions of people" However, ultimately, Kendall holds out hope that the world is "continuing to move in the right direction" on this front. Polls show that British people overwhelmingly are not represented by those who walk in the March for Life protests - an annual US-funded anti-choice event, set to take place again this September. Furthermore, as noted by Kendall, there have been signs of progress elsewhere in the world, with more than 60 countries and territories having liberalised their abortion legislation over the past 30 years. Out of these, as per the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF), just four, including the US, have regressed. As an American who regularly hears concerning stories about abortion legislation from back home, Kendall is "proud to be a part of ensuring" women's access to essential healthcare. She said: "It's nice to work in a clinic that's dedicated to doing this because it just means that like everyone that's working here has got like-minded, that you know that hopefully people coming in feel that and feel like it's a non-judgmental space and that they're here with a nurse who wants to support them."
