Streamer Pan Xiaoting was only 24 years old when she died on July 14, during one of her regular livestreams for her followers.
Before her untimely death, Xiaoting had participated in extreme eating challenges.
These challenges included consuming food for more than 10 hours each day without any breaks, as reported by local media.
Xiaoting had previously been hospitalized after such overeating sessions led to gastric bleeding, though she had been discharged after treatment.
The Maeil Business Newspaper reported that an autopsy performed after Xiaoting’s death revealed her stomach was full of undigested food and that her abdomen was severely deformed.
The ban was part of an effort to curb overeating and food waste, following China’s leader Xi Jinping’s labeling of waste as “shameful.”
Subsequently, the country introduced fines for food service operators who encourage or deceive consumers into ordering excessive meals, leading to obvious waste.
In an interview with ABC News, nutritionist Maya Feller expressed concerns about the pressures faced by mukbang creators.
“And that, in my opinion, is more where the danger lies, is that they’ve got to do it over and over again.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, consequences of overeating include stomach pain, heartburn, and acid reflux, among other symptoms.
The clinic recommends several measures to help prevent overeating.
Additionally, eating slowly and filling your plate with more vegetables can also help manage overeating.
