In a tragic turn of events, Pan Xiaoting, a 24-year-old live-streamer from China, died last week while broadcasting a 10-hour food binge. The stream, watched by thousands of her followers, featured her consuming large quantities of cake, chicken fingers, and seafood. The binge ended in disaster, as Xiaoting succumbed to a suspected stomach tear caused by overeating.
Autopsy results revealed that Xiaoting’s stomach had become severely deformed, filled with undigested food. This condition likely led to her stomach bursting, causing the contents to leak into her abdomen. The severity of her condition highlights the extreme risks associated with such excessive consumption.
Xiaoting was known for her Mukbang live streams, a trend that originated in South Korea and involves eating large amounts of food while interacting with viewers. In China, she gained fame for her Mukbangs, which circumvented the Chinese government’s restrictions on such content by broadcasting live. Despite the apparent enjoyment and popularity of these streams, they carry significant health risks.
The death of Xiaoting has prompted concerns about similar content creators, especially in the West. Influencers in the United States are increasingly gaining popularity for their binge-eating videos, raising fears that they could face similar health issues.
One prominent example is Nicholas Perry, known online as Nikocado Avocado. The 32-year-old from Pennsylvania has amassed a following of 3.8 million YouTube subscribers by documenting his extreme eating habits. Perry’s videos often feature him consuming over 10,000 calories in a single sitting, with titles like “I Hate Myself, Goodbye YouTube & Life” and “Celebrating Our 700 Pound Milestone,” which showcase his weight gain journey. Perry’s weight has skyrocketed from approximately 160 pounds in 2016 to around 350 pounds today.
Another well-known figure in the Mukbang scene is Hungry Fat Chick, also known as Candy Godiva. With more than 280,000 YouTube subscribers and a net worth around $1 million, Candy Godiva has become a significant presence in the Mukbang community. Her content involves consuming large quantities of food, contributing to the trend’s popularity but also its associated health risks.
The deaths and health issues faced by Mukbang streamers serve as a stark reminder of the potential dangers inherent in this genre of content creation. As the trend continues to grow globally, it’s crucial for both creators and viewers to recognize the severe consequences of such extreme eating practices. The attention on influencers like Nikocado Avocado and Candy Godiva underscores the need for increased awareness and caution to avoid similar tragedies in the future.