Chinese social media star dies trying to lose half her body weight; sparks calls for regulation of influencer industry

The 21-year-old, known online as Cuihua, was attempting to inspire her followers by showing them she could lose more than half her body weight, reports CNN. — Photo by i yunmai on Unsplash

A social media influencer’s death, which occurred as she was participating in an intensive weight loss boot camp in northwestern China, has sparked calls for regulation in the influencer industry.

The 21-year-old, known online as Cuihua, was attempting to inspire her followers by showing them she could lose more than half her body weight, reports CNN.