A 16-year-old high school student, Mei, was hospitalized after consuming only a small amount of vegetables and laxatives for two weeks to fit into a birthday dress, Xiaoxiang Morning Herald reported on 23/7. She was admitted to the hospital after experiencing sudden weakness in her limbs and difficulty breathing.

Doctors diagnosed Mei with severe hypokalemia, a dangerously low potassium level, brought on by her extreme diet. This condition can lead to respiratory failure and sudden cardiac arrest. Dr. Peng Min at Hunan People’s Hospital, who treated Mei, stated her potassium levels were critically low. He recommended potassium-rich foods like potatoes, chicken, bananas, and adequate daily water intake to replenish potassium.

Mei underwent a 12-hour emergency surgery. Another doctor, surnamed Li, explained that an unbalanced diet coupled with dehydration is a common cause of hypokalemia in young people resorting to extreme weight loss methods.

After treatment and discharge, Mei pledged not to repeat her mistake. Her story sparked widespread discussion on social media. One commenter remarked, "She was too hard on herself. Running 5 km a day is enough." Another warned, "Weight lost through unhealthy diets will quickly return."

Many choose extreme diets for weight loss. Photo: *Pexel*

This isn't the first case in China of dangerous weight loss attempts. Last year, a 26-year-old man was hospitalized with hypokalemia after following an intermittent fasting regimen, eating only during an 8-hour window each day and engaging in high-intensity exercise.

In 2021, a 38-year-old woman was hospitalized after drinking 4 liters of salt water as instructed in an online video, leading to water intoxication. Doctors warned against following such weight loss methods circulating on social media, highlighting the potential for severe health consequences.

Experts say Mei's case underscores the risks of uninformed weight loss methods without medical supervision. Prolonged laxative use can disrupt electrolyte balance, damage the digestive system, and harm the cardiovascular system.

Furthermore, an inadequate diet can negatively impact physical and mental development during puberty, especially for girls. Doctors recommend any weight loss plan should be structured and based on advice from nutritionists, rather than following unrealistic body image standards promoted on social media.

Thuc Linh (*Xiaoxiang Morning Herald*)