A 16-year-old girl in China nearly lost her life after following an extreme diet of only leafy greens and laxatives for two weeks in a desperate attempt to fit into a dress for her birthday celebration. The teenager, identified by the surname Xiaohua, collapsed at her home in Henan province and was rushed to the hospital in critical condition.
Doctors revealed that Xiaohua suffered from severe electrolyte imbalance and dangerously low potassium levels, which led to cardiac arrhythmia and a life-threatening situation. Her body weight had dropped to just 38 kilograms. According to reports from South China Morning Post, her diet consisted solely of boiled vegetables and frequent doses of laxatives, which she mistakenly believed would help her shed weight quickly without side effects.
Medical professionals involved in her treatment stated that the girl was admitted to the intensive care unit, where she remained for several days before her condition stabilized. They emphasized that her extreme diet deprived her of essential nutrients, putting her heart and other organs under tremendous strain.
The teen's mother shared that Xiaohua had become increasingly concerned about her appearance leading up to her birthday and had started obsessively monitoring her food intake. Without consulting any healthcare professional, she adopted the dangerous routine after reading weight loss tips online.
Doctors Warn Against Dangerous Fad Diets
Health experts strongly caution against such extreme and unsupervised dietary habits. Prolonged use of laxatives, especially when not medically required, can lead to dehydration, dependency, and critical mineral imbalances. Restrictive diets that lack proteins, fats, and carbohydrates can quickly weaken organ function, especially in growing teenagers.
Dr. Hu from the hospital treating Xiaohua explained that the girl's case is not isolated. With the rise of unrealistic beauty standards and weight-loss fads spread through social media, more adolescents are risking their health to meet societal expectations.
A Similar Tragedy in India
In a related incident, a 14-year-old boy from Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu, died on Thursday (24 July, 2025) after surviving for three months on a fruit juice-only diet he discovered on YouTube. Hoping to lose weight, the teen reportedly followed the diet without any medical advice. His parents said he refused solid food entirely and eventually succumbed to organ failure caused by severe nutritional deficiencies.
The incident has raised alarms among Indian health authorities about the dangers of unsupervised internet diet trends. Pediatricians and nutritionists urge parents to monitor their children’s online activity and promote healthy, balanced eating habits rather than rapid, unsustainable weight loss methods.
Call for Greater Awareness and Support
Both cases underscore the urgent need for better education around body image, nutrition, and safe weight management, particularly among teenagers. Medical experts recommend that any dietary or weight-loss plan be discussed with certified professionals, especially during adolescence when nutritional needs are critical for development.
Safety Note: Always consult a medical professional before beginning any weight loss diet, especially one that significantly alters food groups or includes supplements or medications. Fad diets, when adopted without supervision, can lead to serious and sometimes irreversible health consequences.
(Rh/Eth/DJR/MSM/SE)