Turkish TikToker passes away due to health issues linked to obesity, Mukbang trend

Efecan Kultur, a popular TikTok personality known for his videos reflecting Mukbang trend, tragically passed away at the age of 24. He had been battling obesity for some time, and his health deteriorated due to the complications caused by his weight gain. Kultur had been receiving treatment at the hospital before his death.

Kultur gained fame on TikTok for his “Mukbang videos”, a video style where individuals eat large amounts of food in front of the camera. These videos helped him amass over 156,000 followers on TikTok and 12,000 on Instagram. His death was announced by Instagram personality Yasin Oyanik.

Dangers of Mukbang trend

While the Mukbang trend originated in South Korea, it has spread globally, including to Türkiye. The trend involves influencers eating excessive amounts of food on camera, often to gain attention or increase engagement through views and likes.

This trend poses significant health risks, particularly for young audiences. Many teenagers, aged 11 to 25, participate in Mukbang videos to gain social media attention, potentially exposing themselves to severe health problems related to overeating.

The ongoing debate about social media regulations, particularly age limits for platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok, highlights the need for greater awareness of the dangers posed by these trends.

Türkiye is currently working on introducing legislation that will limit the use of social media to adolescents under the ages of 16. Discussions for these regulations have been underway since February 2025.

Who is Efecan Kultur?

Efecan Kultur became famous for his Mukbang videos, which featured him eating large quantities of food in front of the camera.

He had over 156,000 followers on TikTok and frequently shared live streams of his eating sessions. Sadly, his struggles with obesity left him unable to move without assistance. His declining health ultimately led to his hospitalization and eventual passing.