Pro-Anorexic Websites: a Disturbing Trend

It's a known fact that being rail thin has become an obsession, especially among celebrities. Celebrities have a large influence on teens and young adults, so much that the trend has become a real problem in society. When I happened to come upon a website that was actually promoting anorexia, I was dumbfounded. Why on earth would someone want to promote such an unhealthy disorder?

There are literally hundreds of pro-anorexia websites on the Internet. These websites usually consist of on line journals written by members, with tips on how to achieve anorexic "status" and how to hide it from others. These sites usually operate with the false pretense of support. Many girls go to these sites looking for support. They do not get help from pro-anorexia sites, instead they get reinforcement of the problem. Generally, you will find pictures of emaciated, rail thin actresses being glamorized on these sites. The discussion of taking laxatives and cutting your caloric intake way down is very common.

One site I came across, it takes pride in teaching you how to be a "better" anorexic. One statement on this site that really stood out to me was, "trick yourself into believing your life sucks. Be mean to people so you can instigate fights, just to make yourself constantly on edge or nervous so you can't eat." Now, as if it isn't enough that they choose to ruin their own lives, they use tactics to aggravate other people's lives to achieve their goals. If you choose to practice an unhealthy way of life, please, by all means, don't make everybody around you lives' miserable as well.