Pro-eating disorder

The destructive world of pro-eating disorder websites
These skinny images that we see in magazines, television and the internet, are of woman who weight 15% less than the average. The pro-eating disorder websites; promote eating disorders as a “safe lifestyle”. Furthermore these websites encourage deadly diets that can increase eating disorder behaviours. (Jett, Laporte, Wanchism, 2010)
Pro-eating disorder websites have amplified over the last few years; in supporting these unsafe behaviours. (Jett, Laporte, Wanchism, 2010) Frequently these websites refer themselves as “pro ana” (pro-anorexia) and “pro mia” (pro-bulimia); overtime it seems they have become a much louder voice for these vulnerable young woman. (Whitehead, 2010)
In evaluating the effects of these sites, a research was conducted to prove that it can be dangerous. The young women were shown three websites: of fashion, home decor and a pro-ana website. Before and after, they examined their moods, thoughts and eating habits. Outcomes specified that women who were exposed to the pro-ana website had experienced a drop in self esteem, feeling fat and negative thoughts about their weight. (Jett, Laporte, Wanchism, 2010)
Online there are other similar pro-eating disorder websites who have chat forums and personal pages. Young woman who mirror and talk their trust on the actual eating disorders that they know can be deadly. (Whitehead, 2010)
A study was conducted to measure the awareness and usage of the pro-eating disorder websites with youths who have been diagnosed with eating disorders and their parents. In the study; 182 questionnaires were giving back, 76 were from patients and 106 was from the parents. A little over half of the parents had an idea that their child was visiting pro-eating disorder sites.
The results of the patient were that 41% had read on pro-recovery sites, 35% visited pro-eating disorder sites. The rest of 25% had visited both websites. (Physical activity and diet, 2007)

In conclusion the pro-eating disorder websites are extremely harmful; as seen in the studies above. The internet needs to control the content of these websites; that has not helped these young women in their struggles with revering from their eating disorders. (Whitehead, 2010)
References
Jett, S., LaPorte, D. J., & Wanchisn, J. (2010). Impact of exposure to pro-eating disorder websites on eating behaviour in college women. European eating disorders review, 18(5), 410-416. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Physical activity and diet. (2007). Current medical literature: Pediatrics’, 20(2), 40-41. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
Whitehead, K. (2010). "Hunger hurts but starving works": A case study of gendered practices in the online pro-eating-disorder community. Canadian Journal of Sociology, 35(4), 595-626. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.
This is a research paper, everything has been cited and accredited. It is not a opinion, its research of research i found on EBSCO HOST.

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