Former anorexic calls for curbs on eating-disorder websites

Briton says visiting websites that encouraged eating disorders only served to worsen her condition.

ABU DHABI // A woman who has recovered from anorexia and accessed websites promoting eating disorders agreed that such sites were a danger to teenagers.

Naomi Gilchrist, 21, from the UK, began suffering from anorexia nervosa when she was 12. It was diagnosed by doctors 18 months later.

“To someone with an eating disorder, these websites are attractive as they provide new ways and ideas about how to lose weight, hide behaviour and [the users] are encouraged to continue with engaging in such behaviour,” she said.

“The websites are appealing as they are places where individuals with eating disorders can come together with shared experiences. Until I entered hospital treatment, I knew no one else with an eating disorder, which is why I turned to pro-ana and pro-mia websites.”

She said part of their appeal was that she could discuss her problems with fellow sufferers.

“Often, I compared myself to others who were, in my eyes, better anorexics. I envied those who had eaten less that day, or were getting away with more in terms of rebelling to treatment, and this only spurred me on in terms of my illness controlling my life more and more,” said Ms Gilchrist.

“I think the dangers of these websites are in the fact that they actively encourage damaging eating-disordered behaviour.

“Eating disorders by their very nature are secretive and the use of pro-ana and pro-mia websites reinforces this behaviour.

“Some individuals may look up to others who are maybe closer to what they desire, for example in terms of weight, popularity and perceived ‘beauty’.”

Ms Gilchrist said if parents suspected that their child had an eating disorder, they should seek medical advice, as there were support groups to help them overcome their issues.

She said sufferers should also have the courage to admit they have a problem.