How Websites Promote Eating Disorders

photo source

Folks, I'm stepping onto a soapbox, so to speak, but as a mother of two beautiful daughters I feel it is my duty to spread the word to protect them.  If you have little beauties to protect, too, please read on.  Knowledge + Action = Power.

I grew up hearing about how eating disorders were bad when I was in school.  I watched an after school special or two, but other than the general, "Eating disorders are bad for you" knowledge, I didn't know much on the subject.

This image was pinned on pintrest from a blog named skin-bonesss.tumblr.com

These days, girls have the internet to gain knowledge.  One could learn all about eating disorders on the web, but  did you know there are also sites that teach girls HOW to be anorexic, bulimic, etc.,
See: http://www.pro-thinspo.com/index.html, http://proana.us/tagged/thinspo, http://thinspirationproana.com/
Look at some of the tips I found:

• "Pick and buy clothes that are tight. Aim to fit in to them in no time.
• Make thin friends.
• Keep dancing, after meal, till you feel absolutely fatigued."

and there are all sorts of images floating around the web that girls are using as "thinspiration."

Thinspiration?

Apparently, model Kate Moss, was quoted as saying, Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels," and  it's been posted  all over the internet.  The Kate Moss image was on Pintrest.  I reported it.

Social media is a way for these girls to spread these message like wildfire.  There are a ton on Pintrest and Tumblr, for example.  If you see these images, please report them.  In pintrest, you can click on the image and then click report which should appear to the right of the picture.

Is this ad any better?  You HAVE TO HAVE FOOD to have the energy to exercise.  No food does not equal being fit, it equals being sick.

Talk to your girls.  Teach them how to make healthy decisions such as choosing nutritious foods & drinks, portion control, and the benefits of reasonable exercise.

Eating disorders are  mental disorders.  They have to be taken seriously.  Know the signs and some of the lingo these girls are using.  For example, if you overhear a girl talking about an "Ana" or "Mia", often, listen.  For example, if a teacher overheard two girls talking and one said, "Mia came over after dinner last night" or "Ana is giving her a hard time" it is possible the girls are using slang to discuss Bulimia or Anorexia.