Despite efforts on the part of many social websites like Tumbler, Pinterest and MySpace to curb the practice, the number of sites promoting eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia continues to climb. Known as pro-ana (anorexia), pro-mia (bulimia) and pro-ed (eating disorder) sites, the pages exist to share photos and diet advice among a sub-culture largely enmeshed in a serious mental illness. Sometimes referred to as Thinspiration sites, the forums take traditional treatment measures and stand them on their heads.
One important step in recovery is helping those suffering with an eating disorder (most often young girls) to recognize that the behavior is an enemy. Externalizing the disorder and thought patterns as bad friends who give bad advice has been one way counselors have attempted to empower girls struggling to believe the behavior can be overcome. Pro-eating disorder sites assume precisely the opposite posture. Naming the sites with a pro prefix is only the beginning.
The sites provide, not a support group for people seeking recovery, but, instead, a frenzied mob cheering on deadly behavior. Sites dish out suggestions for under-500 calorie per day diets, promote the use of diet pills, laxatives and cigarettes and tell others how to gorge on green tea and coffee to overcome hunger pangs and binge cravings.
The sites often use pictures of waif-thin actresses and celebrities to inspire their behavior. They also post pictures of obese people as a sort of reverse motivation. Viewers can post their own comments, struggles and suggestions to an audience where they feel they will find acceptance. Interestingly, these sites are also known for rampant cyber-bullying. This is especially disturbing given that one of the underlying causes of eating disorders is low self-esteem. It is also the reverse of what treatment experts suggest, which is gathering images of the healthy person you want to be.
Not long ago a Suffolk University study in England took a look at 126 pro-ana websites. The lead researcher said that sites were quite simple to find and appear to be increasing in number. The sites are dangerous, she said, because with frequent viewing they normalize very dangerous behavior. Researchers found that the majority of sites were created by people who themselves suffer from some form of eating disorder. While the sites give suggestions for how to cover up the behavior from others, they also provide a place where affected individuals seek out a sense of belonging.
With more and more young people spending time online with greater and greater privacy options, the danger of pro-ana websites is an alarming one. The British study estimated that 10 percent of adolescents in that country were regularly exposed to the pro-eating disorder web content. The importance of creating proper thinking patterns and discerning viewing habits for young children will only become stronger as the number of such sites rises.