- By Ajeet Kumar
- Sat, 24 May 2025 10:35 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A woman in China who avoided sunlight for most of her life ended up breaking a bone just by rolling over in her sleep, an incident that has stunned many on Chinese social media.
According to a report by the South China Morning Post, the case was shared on May 14 by Dr Long Shuang, an emergency room doctor at XinDu Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
The 48-year-old woman, from Chengdu in Sichuan province, had stayed away from the sun since she was a child. She never wore short sleeves outside and always used sunscreen.
Doctors discovered that her extreme sun avoidance led to dangerously low levels of vitamin D, which is crucial for healthy bones. As a result, she developed severe osteoporosis, a condition where bones become so weak they can break easily. Sunlight helps the body produce vitamin D, which helps absorb calcium and keeps bones strong. Without enough sun, people risk serious health problems like weak bones and low immunity.
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Sun protection trends in China
As sun protection trends grow in popularity across China, especially among women who wear UV-protective clothing and accessories to maintain fair skin, some health experts are raising concerns. They warn that going too far in avoiding the sun can cause more harm than good.
Dr Jiang Xiaobing, a top orthopaedic surgeon, warned in a video that full-body sun protection is becoming too common and unhealthy. He explained that bones begin to lose density after age 30, and without enough sunlight, calcium, and exercise, the risk of fractures rises. He also advised against smoking and drinking heavily, especially for menopausal women. The story, first reported by Haibao News, went viral online, with many shocked by the severity of the case.
"This is unbelievable – she broke a bone just by turning over in bed?" one person commented. Another asked, “Was she crash dieting too? Everyone needs at least a bit of sunlight.” One user pointed out the deeper issue: “Sadly, this shows how society pressures Chinese women to value fair skin over their health.”