Featured Image Credit: Pan Xiaoting
Topics: China, Health, Social Media, Food and Drink
Emily Brown
A popular streamer in China died as a result of overeating while on camera to her followers.
Streamer Pan Xiaoting was just 24 years old when she died on July 14 after setting up one of her usual livestreams for her followers.
Xiaoting entertained her followers with mukbang; a form of content which involves creators posting videos of them eating, often taking on excessive amounts of food or particularly unhealthy options.
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Prior to her death, Xiaoting is said to have taken on extreme eating challenges including eating food for more than 10 hours every day without a break, local media reports.
Another challenge involved eating more than 10kg of food per meal.
Xiaoting had reportedly previously been hospitalized after overeating led to gastric bleeding, but she was later discharged.
In her final broadcast, Xiaoting's overeating is believed to have led to her death.
According to the Maeil Business Newspaper, an autopsy conducted after Xiaoting's death showed that her stomach was filled with undigested food and her abdomen was severely deformed.
The death of the streamer comes after China imposed a ban on mukbang videos in 2020 in a bid to reduce overeating and food waste.
After China's leader Xi Jinping described waste as 'shameful', the country brought in penalties to food service operators who induce or mislead consumers to 'order excessive meals and cause obvious waste'.
Those found to be breaking the rule face fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,376).
In an interview with ABC News, nutritionist Maya Feller warned that mukbang videos can lead to a vicious cycle for creators.
She explained: "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."
When it comes to overeating, many of us are guilty of indulging in too much on holidays or special occasions, but it does have its consequences.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, overeating can lead to stomach pain, heartburn and acid reflux, among other symptoms.
To help prevent overeating, the clinic advises making sure you move your body, get a sufficient amount of sleep, limit alcohol consumption and avoid salty foods.
Other ways to stop overeating include eating slowly and including more vegetables on your plate.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone, contact Center for Change at 888-295-9250 or via their website.