Health: Sites Walk a Thin Line
Dec. 18, 2006 (Newsweek)
If a food craving strikes, try a manicure to “keep your hands occupied.”
This kind of tip is common fare on pro-”ana” (anorexia) and pro-”mia” (bulimia) Web sites. Well intended or not, they’re not “benign,” says Dr. Rebecka Peebles of Stanford University, coauthor of “Surfing for Thinness,” published in Pediatrics last week. Stanford researchers surveyed patients treated for eating disorders, ages 10 to 22, and found that users of pro-eating-disorder sites were sick longer. And 96 percent of them reported learning new tips for weight loss or purging; 69 percent said they used them.
The sites tend to gloss over bad news: people with anorexia are 56 times more likely than their peers to commit suicide. (And they’re not broadcasting the November anorexia-related death of Brazilian model Ana Carolina Reston.)
Sites deny being harmful, saying they provide a community for those with eating disorders. The term “pro-ana” is broadly used, and sites vary greatly. “We offer them support, saying, ‘It will be. Continue going to your doctor’,” says five-foot, 89-pound proana.us owner Anna Robbins.
In November, the Academy for Eating Disorders suggested a mandatory warning statement: “Warning: anorexia nervosa is a potentially deadly illness. The site you are about to enter provides material that may be detrimental to your health.”
—Karen Springen
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Admin says: I don’t like harrassing here. No slander allowed.
hmm
24 Mar 07 at 5:26 am
OK. HMMM. You have spammed all of my sites, forums, chat boxes, and ect. Last time I check that was harassment. And as far as tips and tricks go, I’d love to see more proof. The “tips and tricks” we provided were not the tips and tricks most people would think, but healthy ideas not dangerous, and detrimental pro anorexic ones. Thought you knew that, but I guess not. If you would like to speak with me personally please give me a call: http://www.annasplace.us/contact.html instead of hiding behind a computor screen because that, my friend, it total bullshit.
Anna Robbins
6 Apr 07 at 5:52 am
Listen, hmmm, how sad is your life to come onto a random site like this and post something as dumb as that? It is pathetic and childish. And also, you said she ‘used to’, WTF is that about. It’s in the past then. Anna is doing a fantastic job helping girls feel better about themselves and making people aware of ED’s and more sensitive to them.
You need to get a life or use this negative energy and turn it into doing something positive and productive…
Mickey
6 Apr 07 at 9:17 am
Yes, if HMM really did any research whatsoever, they would have found that the former “tips and tricks” thread contained no detrimental material and discouraged it entirely. I can say this because I am a member of the forum, and I was then as well.
I feel that if this person had any conviction in what they were putting across on the internet they wouldn’t have to use such a vague name for themself and instead of taking the spineless route had used their real one.
Cody Ackley
6 Apr 07 at 1:41 pm
Anna: if you think that should remove hmm’s comment just tell me. Ok?
NoThinspo
9 Apr 07 at 4:09 pm
I really find it sad that you have to live your lives wihing you were thinner and hurting yourself so much. I did not see hmm’s comment as you seem to be sensoring your Website. Sounds a little extreme to sensor people if you are open to conversation. You must understand that I see your views as extreme in the same way you have judged hmm.
I also think you have the right to choose your own lifestyle, no one stops me eating a burger and getting fat and that can kill me too.
If you are offering healthy alternatives and keeping an eye on your health why not rename your movement and drop the association with ana totally.
Also, why are you not able to be happy just the way you turn out and focus on some other more important parts of life, (my opinion).
Anyhooo, just my opinion and not meant to be offensive and I wish anyone who is suffering from an illness related to the pressures of modern society all the best, keep well.
Sean (my real name)
8 Aug 07 at 4:04 pm
i think pro ana sites are a comfort zone for someone with an eating disorder… i did used to be slightly ana but i got better… thinspo sites should be disallowed though because it made me look at my body in that awe… wishing i could be like that and that was unhelpful!
kayleigh
23 Sep 07 at 9:15 pm