A 24-year-old Turkish social media personality known for his extreme eating videos has died due to complications linked to obesity, according to reports. Extreme-eater Efecan Kultur gained popularity in Turkey through his ‘mukbang’ streams, where he would consume large quantities of food on camera.
Kultur died on March 7 after spending three months in hospital with health issues related to obesity, Turkiye Today reported, citing a post on TikTok. Turkish authorities are using his case to warn people against extreme-eating.
Kultur had built a significant following on TikTok, but was forced to stop streaming after becoming bed-ridden with health problems, including bruising and breathing difficulties. His last YouTube post was eight months ago, and his final mukbang video on TikTok appeared on October 15, 2024, where he announced he was avoiding extra salt due to being on a diet. In that video, he was seen eating a large plate of canned grape leaves.
Subsequent videos showed Kultur confined to bed and receiving treatment from visiting medical staff. In his last social media post, Kultur shared a photo of himself with his caretakers, including his mother, writing “Family worship” in the caption. The Daily Mail reported that Kultur’s mother had died last year.
Popular Turkish streamer Testo Taylan visited Kultur last month for an extended conversation. Kultur remained in bed throughout the interview, his eyes closed due to excess weight on his face.
The Turkish government has responded to Kultur’s death by warning young people about the dangers of mukbang videos, Turkiye Today reported. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s administration is working on legislation that would restrict social media use for those under 16, according to the outlet.
Mukbang videos are popular among social media users aged 11 to 25, but health experts have warned they can contribute to serious conditions such as gastrointestinal disorders, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Binge eating content may also influence vulnerable viewers to adopt unhealthy eating habits.