K-pop Star's On-Stage Collapse Sparks Health Concerns
Popular K-pop artist HyunA collapsed during her performance at the Waterbomb Macau festival, raising serious concerns about her health condition. The incident occurred shortly after the singer had openly discussed her dramatic weight loss journey with fans through social media platforms.
The performer had previously shared details about her physical transformation, revealing she now weighs under 50 kilograms. In a heartfelt post that showed her weighing scale reading, HyunA expressed the challenges she faced, stating "From the end of 50 to changing the front seat, it's so hard. I'm still too old. How much have you eaten?"
Alarming Weight Loss Statistics
Medical experts consider losing 5% or more of body weight within 6-12 months as potentially dangerous. However, HyunA's case presents even more alarming numbers - she lost approximately 10 kilograms within just 30 days, representing more than 16% of her total body weight.
This extreme rapid weight loss is believed to be the primary reason behind her on-stage collapse, highlighting the severe health consequences of drastic dieting methods.
Fan Reactions and Support
The K-pop star's devoted fanbase immediately flooded social media with messages of concern and support following the incident. One fan wrote, "Don't be too attached to your weight. We love you in every way," while another commented, "Nooo, girl. We need you to be healthy and happy."
Other supporters emphasized that her value isn't tied to physical appearance, with messages like "You are beautiful no matter what" and "I will love you no matter what your weight is. Be healthy and happy."
However, some fans expressed frustration about the pressure HyunA faces regarding her body image. One remarked, "And we are back to HyunA shaming herself... Are all happy now? She finally managed to gain weight as she has tried for YEARS. And now she's back to skinny fever."
Understanding Diet Risks
While the specific diet plan HyunA followed remains unclear, medical professionals warn about several popular diet methods that promise rapid weight loss but carry significant health risks.
Ketogenic Diet Dangers: This popular diet restricts carbohydrate intake to under 50g daily, significantly lower than the recommended 130g. While it can cause weight loss of up to 4.5kg in two weeks, it may lead to deficiencies in essential minerals including magnesium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and potassium. Long-term use can cause kidney stones and excessive calcium in urine, while short-term effects include nausea, vomiting, low energy and fatigue.
Atkins Diet Concerns: Similar to keto but with phased carbohydrate reintroduction, this diet allows less than 20g of daily carbs initially. Studies show women following this diet for eight weeks developed deficiencies in thiamine, folic acid, vitamin C and zinc, potentially causing fatigue, nerve problems, poor wound healing, gum inflammation and depression.
Palaeolithic Diet Limitations: This diet eliminates processed foods but may cause calcium deficiency due to limited dairy intake, potentially weakening bones over time. Individuals with kidney problems should avoid it because of high potassium levels.
Vegetarian and Vegan Challenges: While followed for various ethical and health reasons, these diets can lead to deficiencies in vitamin B12, calcium, zinc, iron, vitamin E and essential fatty acids, resulting in fatigue, anaemia, weak bones and slow growth in children.
HyunA has since issued an apology to her fans for the incident, though the entertainment industry continues to face scrutiny regarding the pressure placed on performers to maintain specific body standards that may compromise their health and wellbeing.
