By Danielle Cahill
ninemsn
People suffering from eating disorders are "competing to be thin" and exchanging dangerous dieting tips online at social networking sites, according to experts who are worried about the trend.
"People [on these sites] encourage and even pressurise other people to be thin … it can even get into a competition on being thin or the best anorexic," said Sloane Madden of the Westmead Children's Hospital.
Pro-eating disorder (EDs) forums and threads on websites such as MySpace and Facebook often promote the condition as a lifestyle choice rather than an illness.
Members of these online communities exchange binge-eating habits and post pictures of their "thinspiration" — that is, the thin celebrity they aim to look like.
"People post tips on how to lose weight rapidly, how to falsify weight so if you are being seen [by a doctor] no one will know how thin you really are," Dr Madden said.
"They [sufferers] do pick up information on unsafe weight loss practises."
Several specialists contacted by ninemsn declined to comment for fear media reports on pro-anorexia sites could advertise the sites to vulnerable teens.
US researchers at Stanford University have found that 96 percent of those with an eating disorder who surf the web for information pick up tips and techniques on how to "purge", or vomit up food once eaten.
A further 62 percent use techniques gleaned from the internet or buy products such as laxatives as suggested by other users.
Despite the dangers, sites and forums that promote eating disorders can be a useful tool for health professionals, anorexia specialist Rebecka Peebles believes.
"They offer unique insights into the mind of people who suffer from these deadly diseases," the Stanford-based paediatrician said.
"It's important for people to be able to post online what they feel.
"Social networking sites present an interesting thing, because they are in fact private sites ... companies [who own and run them] could police what's there and they do try sometimes."
Dr Peebles is currently researching how the profile of typical users of these websites or forums is changing.
"A lot of people think these websites are populated by thin young girls ... in fact people of all ethnicity and weight ranges, including people who are obese, use them."
Front page
RSS Feed