MySpace.com slammed for promoting eating disorders

A flurry of news stories this week has focused attention on the cult-like growth of "pro-ana" web sites. First off the mark was a Washington Post item, Invitation to Harm:Some Minors Find MySpace.com a Hospitable Home for Traffic in Illegal Pills and Promotion of Self-Destructive Behaviors.

This has been followed by an article in the Canadian Globe and Mail, which reported on a new study to be published next month that warns of the danger of sites that encourage eating disorders.

"The study, slated for publication in the August edition of The
International Journal of Eating Disorders, said the websites are
proliferating on the Internet. "Many of the websites promote a
community of support for individuals with anorexia nervosa (AN). This
information has the potential to increase both short-term and long-term
medical risks associated with AN," wrote Mark Norris, a pediatrician at
the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario and one of the four Canadian
doctors who conducted the study."

Twenty pro-anorexia websites met inclusion criteria. Saturation of
themes was achieved after review of 12 websites. Key website
characteristics included purpose of website (75%), information about
webmaster (67%), website disclaimers (58%), and information on tips and tricks (67%). Religious metaphors, lifestyle descriptions, and thinspiration
(inspirational photo galleries and quotes that aim to serve as
motivators for weight loss) were frequently present. A total of 10
themes were generated. The most prevalent themes included control,
success, and perfection.