A 16-year-old girl from Hunan province in central China narrowly escaped death after subjecting herself to an extreme diet of only vegetables and laxatives for two weeks in a desperate bid to fit into a birthday dress, according to a report by South China Morning Post (SMCP).
Identified only as Mei, the teenager collapsed after experiencing sudden weakness in her limbs and difficulty breathing. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors found her blood potassium levels had dangerously plummeted—causing a condition known as serious hypokalaemia, which can lead to respiratory failure and cardiac arrest.
Dr. Peng Min of Hunan People’s Hospital said, “Serious hypokalaemia can cause respiratory failure and sudden cardiac arrest.” He emphasized that a healthy diet including potassium-rich foods such as bananas, chicken, and potatoes—along with proper hydration—is essential for maintaining the body’s electrolyte balance.
Mei underwent a grueling 12-hour emergency treatment and has since recovered and been discharged. She reportedly vowed never to attempt extreme weight loss methods again.
The case has sparked fresh concern over the growing trend of unhealthy dieting in China. SMCP also noted similar incidents in recent years, including a 26-year-old man hospitalized after combining intermittent fasting with intense exercise, and a woman who suffered water intoxication after drinking excessive salt water based on a social media trend.
Online reactions were swift and critical. “Laxatives. She was not losing weight, she was trying to kill herself,” one commenter wrote, while another stressed, “The weight you lose via an unhealthy diet can easily bounce back.”
Medical experts are now urging the public to reject extreme diet fads and instead adopt sustainable, balanced approaches to weight management.
