Ella Chen’s ‘Vacuum Belly’ Stunt Sparks Health Debate on Body Image (Pics: SCMP) A Taiwanese singer has sparked controversy for performing a “vacuum belly” workout routine at a concert in China. Videos of Ella Chen Jiahua showing her contracted belly, with her ribs prominently protruding, at her concert in Xian have gone viral on social media. According to China Youth Daily, the 44he 44-year-old singer told her audience, “I would like to perform a stunt for you. Please look at me carefully. Cameramen, please zoom in on me.” She begins the movement while explaining: “First, breathe in air deeply. Then exhale and let out all the air slowly.” She then started to hold her breath and shrank her belly, holding the position for around 10t to 12 seconds, triggering a roar from the audience. “This is actually a yoga movement,” she said. While the moment quickly went viral on social media, it has also raised serious questions about body image, health risks, and the growing pressure to achieve unrealistic beauty standards. Over the past few years, Chen, who has 16 million followers on social media in China, has been celebrated for sticking to her music career and her self-discipline in keeping fit. She is said to have a low body fat percentage of 16.7. Her self-invented weight-loss methods, such as running on the spot, have trended on social media. The “vacuum belly” technique, also known as an abdominal vacuum, involves pulling the stomach inward toward the spine by contracting deep core muscles. It is sometimes used in fitness routines to strengthen the transverse abdominis—the muscle responsible for core stability. However, experts warn that what may be safe as a controlled exercise can become problematic when exaggerated for aesthetic appeal, especially in public performances that glorify extreme thinness. The technique is used in fitness routines to strengthen the transverse abdominis Health professionals and fitness experts have voiced concern over the viral stunt, warning that it may promote unhealthy body expectations—particularly among young audiences. While occasional abdominal vacuum exercises are generally safe when done correctly, repeatedly forcing the stomach inward for prolonged periods or striving for an unnaturally “sunken” look can lead to: Also read: Deadly Meningitis Outbreak at UK University: Students Rush for Vaccination as Cases Surge Nationwide The controversy has reignited an important conversation: slimness does not always equal health. A visibly thin body can still mask nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or weakened immunity. True health is determined by a combination of factors, including balanced nutrition, physical strength, mental well-being, and sustainable lifestyle habits, not just appearance. Social media, however, often amplifies extreme visuals without context, making it easy for such trends to spread rapidly without highlighting potential risks. The backlash against the “vacuum belly” stunt also reflects a broader cultural shift toward body positivity and realistic health goals. Increasingly, people are pushing back against extreme beauty ideals and advocating for diverse, healthy body types. Online users have been quick to point out that strength, energy, and overall wellness matter far more than achieving a certain look. Is a prolific writer with a varied experience of over two decades of journalism under her belt. She writes passionately about diverse health topics wi... View More