Imagine binging on food for hours on end. Sounds like a dream, right? For one 24-year-old competitive eater, it turned into a nightmare. Pan Xiaoting, known for her extreme eating sessions on the internet, tragically died during a 10-hour livestream, leaving her viewers horrified and helpless.
The practice of Mukbang, which originated in South Korea, involves individuals eating large quantities of food on camera while engaging with their audience. Pan Xiaoting had embraced this trend and gained popularity for her gargantuan food binges. However, this time, her love for eating took a deadly turn.
The 24-Year-Old Had Previously Been Hospitalized Following Her Binge Eating Sessions
Xiaoting’s passion for competitive eating wasn’t just a passing phase. Despite warnings from her parents and previous hospitalization for gastrointestinal bleeding, she continued to engage in her marathon eating sessions—sometimes lasting up to 10 hours.
On July 14, this obsession had a fatal outcome. During a livestream, Xiaoting’s fans watched in horror as she passed away after consuming 10kg of food. It was a sobering reminder of the dangers associated with extreme competitive eating.
Advert
An autopsy later revealed that Xiaoting’s stomach was ‘deformed’ and filled with ‘undigested food’, suggesting it had burst open, causing stomach acid and food to leak into her abdomen.
Reactions poured in on social media. One user called her a ‘victim of gluttony’, while another couldn’t comprehend why anyone would want to watch someone eat. Others expressed their concern and empathy, noting the extreme lengths people go to for views and attention. Some even questioned why there seems to be a trend of glorifying obesity.
When you think about the fact that many are starving across the world, it puts things into a maddening perspective.
The Chinese government has taken steps to address these issues, implementing regulations to limit excessive eating during livestreams. Content creators who violate these rules can face fines, reflecting a broader concern over the impact of such practices on public health.
Dr Andrew Harris, a senior lecturer of psychology at Nottingham Trent University, explained that Mukbang videos often center around consumption and indulgence. While some research suggests they can alleviate loneliness by providing a sense of social connection, others argue they may replace more meaningful real-life interactions with superficial virtual ones, exacerbating feelings of isolation.
This is not the first time a Mukbang creator has faced criticism. Nicholas Perry, better known on YouTube as Nikocado Avocado, has generated significant concern and criticism due to his dramatic weight gain over the years, which he documents in his eating videos.
In conclusion, the tragic death of Pan Xiaoting during a livestream brings to light the extreme dangers associated with competitive eating and Mukbang culture. This isn’t just about eating; it’s about the lengths people will go for fame and attention. So let this be a cautionary tale: gluttony is far from glamorous; it’s perilous.
