On social media, many viewers were heartbroken as an extreme eater known for mukbang videos died at 24 due to obesity-related health issues.
Social media star Efecan Kultur passes away after weeks in the hospital
A TikTok star known for binge-eating videos has died at 24 from obesity-related health complications.
Efecan Kultur, who had 155,000 TikTok followers, was famous in Turkey for his mukbang content.
Mukbang is an online trend where creators eat large amounts of food while interacting with their audience. The trend has gained popularity worldwide since the mid-2010s.
Weeks of hospitalization before his passing
Efecan had been hospitalized since December 2024 due to severe health issues caused by his weight.
His condition deteriorated, leading to breathing problems and mobility issues.
While, je became bedridden and needed a machine to breathe. His declining health prevented him from visiting his mother’s grave after her passing a year ago.
Doctors later allowed him to continue treatment at home.
He passed away on March 7, 2025. His funeral took place at Celaliye Mosque in Istanbul, and he was buried in Silivri Gumusyaka Cemetery.
Social media media reaction
Efecan Kultur’s death left viewers heartbroken while other also concern for the rrisks of extreme eating as trend on social media.
One person said: But on another note it’s actually crazy to me that people actually sit there and get entertainment out of videos like that
A second wrote: Not surprised, being overweight is extremely unhealthy and usually always leads to an early grave.
Moral of the story, have self control and be healthy or face the consequences.
While a third commented: I wouldn’t waste my time and energy crying over spilled milk. He was already dead while living. Shame on him.
Another added: He really lived his best life in that short time, he did what i am scared to do. So sad. RIP
Someone else said: Damn, 24. But i know he went out feeling good cuz omg, food is so good!!!!!
Mukbang and the risks of extreme eating
Efecan is not the first content creator to lose his life due to excessive eating. In China, binge-eating live-streamer Pan Xiaoting died in July 2024 while filming a 10-hour eating challenge.
Reports suggest her stomach may have ruptured, causing stomach acid and undigested food to leak into her abdomen.
Previously, Xiaoting had gained fame for her extreme mukbang streams.
Her autopsy revealed a severely deformed stomach filled with undigested food. Doctors believe this contributed to her death.
In January 2023, TikTok star Taylor Brice LeJeune, known as Waffler69, died at 33 from a suspected heart attack.
He was popular for eating unusual foods, including expired groceries and novelty items like canned cheeseburgers and giant Froot Loops.
American TikToker Brittany Sauer also passed away at 28 due to complications from Type 2 diabetes.
In her final videos, she expressed regret over her struggles with binge eating, saying it had “ruined her life.”
The mukbang trend has evolved into a dangerous practice, with creators consuming larger amounts of unhealthy food for views.
However, medical professionals have warned about the severe health risks involved.
Additionally, experts believe more influencers may face life-threatening consequences if extreme eating content continues to grow in popularity.