While pro-ana (pro-anorexia) and pro-mia (pro-bulimia) sites have received much bad press, as a result of encouraging users to maintain eating disordered behaviours, they might not be all bad. In fact, the majority of such sites actually recognise eating disorders as diseases rather than "lifestyle choices."
2010 Study on Pro-Eating Disorder Sites
A recent study on pro-eating disorder sites has been undertaken by researchers from the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Stanford University School of Medicine. Though studying 180 websites, found through using search terms such as "Pro-Ana," "Pro-Anorexia," "Pro-Bulimia and "Thin and Support." Each site was assessed in terms of perceived harm to users and given a score. Further areas in which the pro-eating disorder sites were evaluated, include the following:
- basic logistics
- accessories, including interactive forums, calorie counters
- themes such as control, success and perfection
- recovery information
Understanding Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Bulimia Sites
This new study, the first large-scale analysis of pro-eating disorder websites provides eating disorder professionals with valuable insight into the nature of both pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia sites. Key finding arising from the research, include as follows:
- the majority of sites recognise eating disorders as diseases
- 80% offered interactive features
- 85% displayed "thinspiration" materials
- 83% provided suggestions on using disordered eating behaviours
- more than one third included recovery information
- 24% had high perceived harm scores
Pro-Eating Disorder Sites Reflect Mixed Feelings of Sufferers
An important finding arising from the research study identified that pro-eating disorder sites tend to reflect the mixed feelings of different sufferers affected by conditions such as anorexia and bulimia. For example, some days a sufferer may feel that they have no desire to recover, while other days the same individual may want to embrace recovery and leave the eating disorder behind. This is seen in the study which shows that pro-eating disorder sites exist on a continuum. As challenging as it may be for many, it is too simple to view pro-anorexia sites in a black and white manner.
Limitations of Expressing Feelings Online
While there are many benefits to being able to chat with others online, gain support and learn about how to cope with eating disorders, several limitations also exist. The main disadvantage is that there is a real lack of professional support available online. Therapies used to treat eating disorders, such as cognitive analytical therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy work best when therapy takes place face-to-face. During therapy, the anorexia or bulimia sufferer is considerably less vulnerable, as the therapist provides a safe, secure environment in which to work together.
As highlighted above, not all pro-eating disorder sites ignore recovery and the majority of sites do recognise eating disorders as diseases, as opposed to seeing them as lifestyle choices. However, the dangers of getting triggered by "thinspiration" must not be forgotten. A safer alternative to viewing pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia sites involves heading to communities such as Pale Reflections.
Source:
Eating Disorders Review September/October 2010 Vol. 21:5
Kate Le Page - Kate Henning-Le Page writes about eating disorders, body image and recovery issues. She specializes in anorexia recovery.
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