Pro-Ana websites glorify anorexia as a lifestyle choice, providing inaccurate information encouraging unhealthy eating patterns that are harmful to teens developing eating disorders and undermine those with the disorder who are trying to recover. Here's what parents need to know about these sites and their disturbing message.
What Does Pro-Ana Mean?
Pro-Ana means pro-anorexia and the sites include tips on hiding weight loss from others, advice on purging, controlling food intake, suppressing hunger pains and pairing up with a 'fasting partner'. There are pictures of extremely thin, usually famous woman, in a section called 'thinspirations' and 'inspiring' quotes such as, 'You can never be too thin' and 'Eating is a feeling, this is an art.'
There are now blogs, video sharing, forums and social networking groups promoting the pro-ana message to troubled teens that anorexia is a desirable choice, rather than what it really is - self-starvation that leads to out of control behavior with significant emotional and physical consequences. This type of propaganda sends confusing messages to any teen struggling with this disorder by not only encouraging teens' to control their food intake but also portraying anorexia as an acceptable, even desirable way to rebel and be proud of the 'control' a teen has over her mind and body.
What Are the Dangers of Pro-Ana Sites?
Pro-Ana sites try to justify a destructive, dysfunctional lifestyle and deny the fact that eating disorders usually spiral out of control. The messages on these sites encourage others to willingly participate in self-destructive behaviors such as refusing to eat, lying about their actions and hiding their disordered eating behavior.
Teens at risk for developing an eating disorder, or who already have one, may start spending a significant amount of time communicating with other eating disordered teens and believing what they are doing is 'cool' or desirable, rather than seeing that what's really happening is they are getting deeper into negative behaviors and thought patterns that perpetuate anorexia and other eating disorders.
Are There Other Sites That Encourage Eating Disorders?
Although pro-ana sites appear to be the most popular there are other sites with a similar approach to encouraging eating disorders. Pro-Mia sites promote bulimia, and there are other Pro-ED (Eating Disorder) sites encouraging the 'control' of food as a way to improve self-esteem and be proud of one's ability to do so.
Why Troubled Teens Are Attracted to Pro-Ana Sites
Teens struggling with eating disorders tend to be very isolated and feel that no one in their life understands what they are going through. Pro-ana sites exploit this need so that a vulnerable adolescent often feels she's found a community that is supportive and relates to her issues with food. But this is not the case if the information on the site is not accurate and is encouraging unhealthy eating habits and an obsessive focus on body weight.
What Can Parents Do?
If you have any concerns or suspicions that your teen may have an eating disorder awareness of pro-ana and related sites is essential. Here are some ways to minimize the chances of your teen being negatively influenced by this rhetoric, use the ones that make the most sense for your teen and situation.
- Educate yourself about these sites and the information on them.
- Talk with your teen about the fact that the glamorizing of eating disorders on these sites is not the reality of this disorder.
- Block sites that promote eating disorders to prevent access by your teen.
- Search your teen's computer history to see if they are visiting pro-ana sites.
- Discuss with your teen your concerns about the inaccurate material presented and how it could damage rather than help them.
- Redirect your teen to healthy, reputable sites focused on recovery from eating disorders.
- If you find your teen using these sites, ask what they are getting from them; then try to help them meet this need in healthier ways. For example, if they like talking to teens in a similar situation, assist in finding a support group for eating disorders facilitated by a mental health professional.
It's important to keep in mind that most teens participating in pro-ana sites are struggling to cope with a disorder they don't understand and may feel they have found a community that understands and will help them. Unfortunately, these sites primarily perpetuate the problem by promoting it as a lifestyle choice rather than an emotional and physical disorder with serious consequences.
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