Expert: Carmen Curtis - 7/1/2007

Question
QUESTION: Hi I have two questions: I read somewhere on the internet that Kelly's eating disorder started before she began abusing diet pills, is this true? I did notice after the health spa episode that Kelly rarely ate and always said she wasn't hungry, then she started abusing diet pills. Secondly in the 'Perfectly Perfect' episode when she goes home and binges, what is that she's eating then tries to pour down the drain? Your help is appreciated.

ANSWER: Hi Brenda,
Kelly seemed to have some body image issues in the health spa episode, like when she looked in the mirror and thought she had "problem areas." But then when Dylan chose her over Brenda, she seemed to be eating normally. I think the eating disorder really got going after Dylan's dad died. She avoided eating that episode and in the next episode (Duke's Bad Boy), she started abusing the diet pills and starving herself. In the "Perfectly Perfect" episode it looks like Kelly was bingeing on potato salad and then put it down the drain.
Hope this helps!
Carmen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you, Carmen. Yeah it looked like potato salad to me too. I was wondering if you knew if Kelly had any more eating disorder or body image problems after season 3? thank you for your help.

Answer
To my knowledge, Kelly never showed signs of an eating disorder after season 3. She talked to Cindy Walsh about how she struggled with her weight as a child and teen in season 5, Who's Zooming Who, saying that she dieted as a kid and then got fed up with it and "got fat" as a pre-teen. Then in season 9 episode "Dog's Best Friend" Kelly tries to talk to Gina about how she understands eating disorders "first hand" Kelly talked about how it's a way to control your life. Otherwise, they didn't really go anywhere with the storyline.
Thanks for the question,
Carmen