While most would agree that the pro-anorexia movement was harmful, was the mass purge of sites from the internet necessary? And is it hypocritical, when you can read similar sentiments in any women's magazine?
Most of us know about pro-ana, the pro anorexia movement that was once common on the internet. Most of us would agree that websites promoting eating disorders and making people ill are unhealthy. But what else was lost in the pro-ana cull?
In the past few years, most pro-ana sites have been taken down, either by pressurizing the owners or by the site hosts. A number of these sites were deeply irresponsible, telling vulnerable young people it is fine to not eat if you have vitamin tablets, for instance. While the writers of the websites may believe in what they were saying, the hosts were right to take steps in stopping the spread of misinformation. However, problems occurred when the definition of pro-ana was ill defined.
For example, a site that criticized the current treatment of anorexia would often be lumped in with sites that would ban members who were seen eating in public. The two examples are at totally different ends of the spectrum. Imagine if the first example was not about eating disorders. If, for example, it were saying that the treatment for broken legs led to a number of side effects, including rashes or muscle damage, would people object to discussing it? Service users have a right to be heard, even if they are labeled as ?mad?.
Another group of sites that disappeared were peer support groups for people trying to get over eating disorders. Far from being pro anorexia, many were helping people to recover. They would, for instance, include tips for improving self-esteem or foods that are easy to eat. But, because they would appear on a search for the word ?anorexia,? they to were taken down.
On the other hand many supposedly ?healthy? dieting sites are still available. A simple Google search for dieting will turn up sites that recommend massive restrictions of diet (Atkins and South Beach), diet pills that may lead to heart attacks (metabolism boosters) or diets specifically aimed at children. Some of these sites will offer the same advice that would be found on pro-ana sites, with a film or TV star acting as Thinspiration.
As human beings we like to label things. Many of us would, correctly, see anorexia as a terrible illness, whereas constantly striving for a ?perfect? figure is relatively normal. It seems that the lines have blurred. The pro-anorexia movement, as well as damaging many people, ironically had the effect of making people more aware of the warning signs to look out for in friends and relatives.
Now it is more or less over, people are less vigilant. While no one would want their friends or children to be caught up in an eating disorder, the pressure to be thin is constant. It is not an easy problem to cure, but is not one helped by putting faith in dubious diets and scientific claims. Let?s move against eating disorders and learn to respect ourselves, whatever our shapes.
