A 24-year-old influencer in China died while performing an eating challenge on a live feed. The incident took place on July 14, reported local portal Hankyung. The tragic death of Pan Xiaoting, an extreme eater who consumed seafood and chocolate cake during a 10-hour binge, has ignited serious concerns about the dangerous internet trend called Mukbang.
onPan Xiaoting was known for taking up such challenges that required her to eat for more than 10 hours at a stretch, the report mentioned.
Livestream tragedy
On July 14, Pan Xiaoting collapsed in front of horrified fans during a livestream. Known for her marathon eating sessions, the 24-year-old Chinese influencer’s death was later attributed to her extreme eating habits. An autopsy revealed her stomach was “deformed” and full of “undigested food.”
Pan, who previously worked as a waitress, was famous for consuming around 10 kilograms of food in her 10-hour sessions. She had been hospitalized before for gastrointestinal bleeding. In response to such extreme eating practices, China introduced regulations in 2020 to curb excessive eating in Mukbang, with fines for violators.
Mukbang, a global trend with deadly consequences
Mukbang, which originated in South Korea in the mid-2000s, has become a global phenomenon over the past decade. Pan’s death has sparked warnings about the dangers of extreme eating. Other notable deaths include TikTok star Taylor LeJeune, known as Waffler69, who died from a suspected heart attack at 33 after consuming bizarre snacks and expired food.
LeJeune, who had 1.8 million followers, was known for eating unusual items like canned ham from 1960 and reindeer meat. His last TikTok video showed him eating a Big Fruit Loop dipped in milk. Both his father and grandfather died from heart failure before the age of 50, highlighting a possible genetic predisposition.
In 2017, Travis Malouff, 42, choked to death while attempting to eat a half-pound doughnut in Denver’s Voodoo Doughnut “Tex-Ass” challenge. On the same day, 20-year-old student Caitlyn Nelson died after choking during a pancake-eating contest at a charity event. Despite efforts from two nurses at the scene, Nelson succumbed to her injuries in a New York hospital two days later.
In 2021, Madelyn “Madie” Lee Nicpon, a 20-year-old lacrosse player from Tufts University, died after choking during a hot dog eating contest at a charity fundraiser. Despite extensive life-saving procedures by first responders, Nicpon passed away after being transferred from Mt. Auburn Hospital to Massachusetts General in Boston.
Increasing awareness and regulation
These tragic incidents underline the severe risks associated with extreme eating trends. Authorities and social media platforms are being urged to increase regulations and awareness to prevent further fatalities in this dangerous online phenomenon.