A popular streamer tragically lost her life to extreme eating live on camera, shocking fans and raising concerns about the dangers of mukbang, a trend where people eat large quantities of food online.
Streamer Pan Xiaoting was only 24 years old when she passed away on July 14 during one of her regular live sessions, leaving her audience in disbelief.
Xiaoting delighted her audience with mukbang sessions, eating vast or unhealthy foods, which became her signature content online.
Reports suggest she often undertook extreme challenges, like eating continuously for over 10 hours or consuming more than 10kg of food in a single meal.
It was noted that Xiaoting had faced health issues before due to her overeating habits, including hospitalization for gastric bleeding, though she had recovered and returned to streaming.
Tragically, it is believed her final live session involved excessive eating that led to her untimely death.
According to reports, an autopsy revealed her stomach contained large amounts of undigested food, and her abdomen was significantly deformed.
The incident highlights the serious risks associated with mukbang, which led to a ban in China after concerns over food waste and unhealthy eating practices emerged.
After President Xi Jinping criticized the wastefulness, China enacted fines for those compelling consumers to order excessively or wastefully, with penalties reaching up to 10,000 yuan ($1,376).
Mukbang’s popularity can exert immense pressure on creators, explains nutritionist Maya Feller in an ABC News interview.
She said: “I do think there’s a significant amount of pressure for these creators who are sitting there eating day after day and have millions of views and followers to actually replicate that behavior.
“And that, in my opinion, is more where the danger lies, is that they’ve got to do it over and over again.”
While indulgence is common during celebrations, the Cleveland Clinic warns against the health risks associated with overeating, such as stomach pain and heartburn.
To prevent overeating, it recommends physical activity, adequate sleep, limited alcohol, and reducing salt intake, while also suggesting eating slowly and adding more vegetables to meals.
If you’re affected by the issues discussed, consider reaching out to the Center for Change at 888-295-9250 or their website for support.