Christina Applegate Recalls Battling Anorexia During ‘Married… With Children’ Days

A new episode of Christina Applegate’s MeSsy podcast with Jamie-Lynn Sigler featured a candid peek into her hidden struggle with anorexia in the past. The 52-year-old recalled suffering from body dysmorphia as a teenager, leading to some of her detrimental choices while starring in Married… with Children.

Christina played Kelly Bundy on the hit 11-season sitcom, and it was her idea to dress in figure-hugging outfits on the show. She noted that her co-stars were not oblivious and would often raise concerns about her appearance and eating habits.

Christina Applegate battled anorexia – here’s what she had to say about that time in her life

The mother of one strangely wanted her bones “to be sticking out” at the time and “deprived myself of food for years and years and years” to achieve that. When she did eat, Christina would punish herself, and this escalated into an eating disorder that lasted well into her thirties. Although having overcome the condition for the most part, she did admit to relapsing sometimes.

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Christina’s mother did not help matters either by enrolling her in Weight Watchers at 15, further deepening her insecurities. The actress was in an unknown competition with her mom, who often questioned how she shed pounds each time. Christina recalled living on a strict diet of five almonds a day and would self-isolate if she ever had more.

 

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Christina was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2021 after a bout with COVID-19 and sapovirus, which had her “pissing out of her ass for a few days.” She had ignored the signs of her deteriorating health until the filming of Dead To Me when she would lose balance while dancing or feel numbness and tingling in her limbs.

After putting off a check-up for so long, she finally did and took a break from acting to recover. Despite her recent health challenges, which present with movement difficulties, Christina is making the best out of the situation by advocating for those who suffer the same disease.