BEIJING: A 16-year-old girl in China came close to a life-threatening situation after adopting a dangerously restrictive diet in a bid to lose weight.
Mei, the teenager, consumed only small portions of vegetables in hopes of fitting into her favourite dress for an upcoming birthday celebration. Her extreme dieting led to severe health complications, including weakness in her limbs and difficulty breathing, prompting an emergency trip to the hospital.
Doctors at the hospital said her condition was extremely critical upon arrival. Tests revealed dangerously low potassium levels in her blood, leading to a condition called hypokalemia, which was responsible for her deteriorating health.
Hypokalemia, caused by unhealthy dietary habits, can lead to breathing difficulties and even cardiac arrest. Doctors advised that consuming potassium-rich foods such as potatoes, bananas, and chicken, along with adequate water intake, can help restore potassium levels to normal.
Mei’s health has now shown signs of improvement. She has vowed never to take extreme measures for weight loss again. Similar crash diets have previously resulted in fatalities, doctors noted.