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 by
Gillian Rachel Livingstone
Anorexia
is a mental illness that has the ability to affect you physically and
can turn an individual’s life upside down; it can lead to short and long
term health problems such as osteoporosis, infertility, thinning of the
hair, facial hair, damage to the heart and in severe cases, death. So,
why would anyone want to have such a distressing, life altering disease?
Pro-ana (pro-anorexia) sites are rapidly sucking in young,
impressionable teenagers. These sites aim to persuade viewers that
anorexia is not a disease but actually a lifestyle choice; however, this
is far from the case. Anorexia is a mental illness and these sites can
act as a trigger. The sites refer to eating disorders such as anorexia
and bulimia as though they are human beings. Anorexia is known as ‘Ana’
and bulimia is referred to as ‘Mia’. The illnesses are treated as
dependable friends or leaders who are there to guide you when the urge
to eat hits you; however, these so-called friends can turn out to be
enemies.
The sites feature dozens of pictures featuring emaciated models and
celebrities, the likes of Mary-Kate Olsen, Nicole Richie and Victoria
Beckham are depicted as goddesses because of their stick-thin
appearance. These images are seen as ‘thinspirational’ and are there to
be to looked upon as motivation. Most of the websites are set up by self
proclaimed Ana followers who ‘celebrate’ their disorder and in some
cases call it a religion.
There’s no doubt that these sites are disturbing in their attempt to
glorify eating disorders. On one site, the beliefs are worryingly frank.
The site features the ‘Ana Commandments’ one of which states, ‘Being
thin is more important than being healthy’, this truly shows the extent
to which some sufferers are willing to go in order to achieve so-called
perfection.
It’s distressing to realise that millions of young people feel the need
to go to great lengths in order to be skinny. What’s happened to make
them think that being thin is the be all and end all?
There’s been talk of banning pro Ana sites but it can be argued that
this goes against freedom of speech and choice. But the fact is: Pro ana
sites can play a significant role in generating eating disorders in
young people. They have the ability to brainwash their viewers into
thinking that being skinny is the ultimate achievement and you can never
be truly happy until you reach that goal. But, how can you be truly
happy and fulfilled when there are so many risk factors to think about?
There are so many safer, healthier ways of achieving a great looking
body without going to such extreme lengths. A healthy balanced diet and
plenty of exercise is a much more enjoyable and effective way to lose or
maintain a healthy weight. Who wants to look malnourished and skeletal?
In some cases, many sufferers will pay the ultimate price in order to be
thin, by losing their life. Who would want to put their families through
that? My advice is to stay well away from these pro Ana sites as they
can seriously damage an individual’s life and the people around them.
• If any of the issues in this article affect you or someone you know
you should seek help. Call the Eating Disorders Association Youthline on
0845 634 7650 or text them on 07977 493345. If you’d rather speak to
someone locally you should get in touch with Little London, the free and
confidential counselling service for 11 to 25 year-olds living in Wigan
Borough. Call (01942) 776767 and leave a confidential answer phone
message and a Little London counsellor will get back to you.
Recommended Links:
►
http://www.edauk.com/youngpeople/index.html – the Eating Disorders
Association have their own website dedicated to young people.
►
www.eatingproblems.org - The Eating Problems Service is for young
people concerned about their weight, body image or what they eat, and
provide support and advice on a range of issues including binge eating,
bulimia or even self-harm.
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