Applegate's Shocking 'Married With Children' Diet Confessions

Christina Applegate has disclosed her significant struggles with anorexia and body dysmorphia during the filming of "Married With Children," which aired from 1987 to 1997. The actress, who portrayed Kelly Bundy for all 11 seasons, shared in her memoir, "You With The Sad Eyes," that the character's role necessitated a "skinny" appearance.

To fit into the specific, often revealing, outfits for Kelly Bundy, Applegate adopted extreme eating habits. She recounted surviving on minimal food, sometimes consuming only half a bagel or less in an entire day, and occasionally abstaining from food altogether. This led to her becoming drastically underweight, with costume designers frequently altering her clothes to fit her size 0 frame.

Applegate noted that her pursuit of wearing tighter and shorter clothing, as demanded by the show's evolving style, exacerbated her eating disorder. She expressed discomfort looking back at scenes where she was objectified, acknowledging the lewd nature of the show by modern standards. She emphasized that her food denial was trauma-based.

Despite the profound impact on her mental health, Applegate stated she does not blame the cast or crew for her experiences. As a young woman, she was unaware of her effect on viewers and focused on embodying the character, driven by the pressures of the entertainment industry and her own internal struggles.