The Dangers of Websites that Promote Anorexia & Bulimia

By Staff Writer

Though they claim to offer a “supportive” environment, pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites negatively influence women and men who believe that disordered eating can help them achieve the size and shape they desire. People who frequent these sites are often encouraged to adopt potentially deadly eating and lifestyle habits.

Eating disorders are alarmingly common and have become a part of our culture. In many cases, people who have eating disorders think of their disorder as a diet strategy or trendy weight-management technique.

Pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites give tips to those battling with eating disorders on how to drastically lose more weight and how to hide dangerous behaviors from family members and friends.

Many men and women who frequent pro-eating disorder websites suffer from low self-esteem and poor body image. They are also more likely to compare their bodies to others. In other words, people who have eating disorders are extremely vulnerable.

One danger of pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites is that they encourage people to undertake more extreme diet control behaviors. Because people who have eating disorders are prone to secrecy and isolation, these websites can take on disproportionate levels of influence over their lives.

“Pro-Ana” and “Pro-Mia” websites pose a significant threat to the emotional and physical health of men and women who are prone to or already suffering from an eating disorder.

Causes of Anorexia and Bulimia

In her book The Eating Disorder Sourcebook, author Carolyn Costin explained that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia have always been around, but they seem more common today because more individuals are willing to admit that they have these problems.

Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia can occur for a number of reasons. Some of the most prominent causes of eating disorders are childhood trauma, social and media influence and underlying psychiatric disorders.

Media images of ultra-thin models and celebrities have been blamed for encouraging impressionable fans to engage in dangerous weight-control measures in order to achieve a similar look themselves. Researchers have revealed relationships between media exposure and a person’s level of body dissatisfaction. For example, girls who were regular readers of fashion magazines were more likely to have a desire to diet and lose weight because of the images and articles.

Some countries are taking steps to encourage a healthier body image. For example, Spain and Italy have banned models that have a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5. Some designers are also taking measures to combat the influence of negative body images in fashion by refusing to hire models who appear to be suffering from eating disorders.

A Global Problem
 
Although eating disorders are a significant problem in the United States, American women aren’t the only ones who are suffering from disorders such as anorexia and bulimia. For example, according the BBC, more than one million British men and women suffer from an eating disorder.
   
Eating disorders are also becoming an increasingly prevalent problem among young people. Parents of adolescents who have or may be prone to developing an eating disorder should keep a close eye on the types of websites their children are visiting. If they find that their children have been exposed to pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia websites, they need to have a serious talk with their children.

Treatment and Awareness
   
Public outcry against pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites has been significant. It isn’t just groups like the National Eating Disorder Association and the Association of Anorexia Nervosa that are warning against the dangers of such sites. Various organizations and media outlets are attempting to put a stop to these websites before they cause any more damage to individuals.

The most important thing that a person with anorexia or bulimia can do is to get treatment. The longer the disorder remains undiagnosed and untreated, the more difficult it is to overcome. The sooner the individual can get help, the more likely he or she will be able to recover.

Three common treatments for eating disorders are psychotherapy, support groups, ad nutritional counseling. In cases where the eating disorder is severe, an individual may need more than counseling and support groups. In this case, residential treatment may be necessary if the person is suffering from severe behavioral and physical problems.

Fortunately, the Internet doesn’t have to be a place where adults, teens and adolescents with eating disorders find only negative influences. A number of reputable websites provide positive information in a manner that is designed to help people get the eating disorder treatment that they need.