A 16-year-old girl from Hunan province in central China nearly lost her life after following a dangerous two-week crash diet in a desperate attempt to fit into a new birthday dress. Identified only as Mei, the teenager survived on small portions of vegetables and relied on laxatives, ultimately leading to a critical health emergency.
Mei collapsed after experiencing weakness in her limbs and difficulty breathing. She was rushed to the hospital, where doctors discovered she had developed severe hypokalaemia—a life-threatening condition caused by extremely low potassium levels in the blood, often linked to poor nutrition and dehydration.
Doctors at Hunan People’s Hospital performed an emergency 12-hour procedure to save her life. According to Dr. Peng Min, the lack of potassium had placed Mei at risk of respiratory failure and sudden cardiac arrest. He emphasized that essential nutrients like potassium—found in foods such as bananas, potatoes, and chicken—are crucial for the body to function properly, alongside staying well-hydrated.
Thankfully, Mei’s condition stabilized, and she has since been discharged from the hospital. She vowed never to resort to extreme dieting again.
Mei’s case is not an isolated one. In recent years, several people in China have suffered serious health consequences from extreme weight-loss practices. In one case, a 26-year-old man developed hypokalaemia after combining intermittent fasting with intense daily workouts. In another, a 38-year-old woman was hospitalized after consuming four liters of salt water in one sitting, following an online “detox” trend.
Online reactions to Mei’s story have been mixed, with some criticizing the culture of harsh beauty standards and quick fixes. One comment read, “Laxatives. She wasn’t losing weight—she was risking her life.” Another pointed out, “The weight you lose from unhealthy diets always comes back.”
Mei’s story serves as a stark warning about the dangers of extreme dieting and the importance of safe, balanced approaches to health and body image.
