India, July 22 -- A 16-year-old girl from China's Hunan province narrowly escaped death after surviving for two weeks on nothing but a small amount of vegetables and laxatives, in a desperate attempt to slim down and fit into a new birthday dress, according to a report by the South China Morning Post (SCMP).

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The teenager, identified as Mei, was rushed to hospital in a critical condition after she suddenly lost strength in her limbs and experienced severe shortness of breath. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, prompting an emergency 12-hour medical intervention to save her life.

According to the Xiaoxiang Morning Herald, cited by SCMP, Mei ...