Parents warned over pro-anorexia websites

[TexasStooge]

By MACIE JEPSON / WFAA ABC 8

In today's world, waif-like celebrities are the women girls want to be.

"I dropped more weight in two weeks than I'd ever done in my entire life," said a 14-year-old found online at one of the hundreds of websites about 'ana' - 'ana' is short for anorexia.

The term has for years been associated with anorexia nervosa - the eating disorder that leaves victims emaciated, and 10 percent of the time, dead.

Pro-ana websites include tricks and advice for people with anorexia - advice like ice sucking to simulate eating, taking cold showers to burn more energy, binging techniques that burn more calories and secrets to off-set parents.

Highland Park Senior Elizabeth Carlock is president of SWADE - Spreading the Word about Disordered Eating.

"Eating disorders in general, they're very private illnesses and so when you find someone who can relate to you and understands, then you're gonna latch onto that person," she says.

Psychiatrist Dr. Stephanie Sutliff at Children's Medical Center of Dallas says parents need to monitor their daughter's behavior.

"These websites are really targeted at helping people be a better anorexic and they're very seductive. They have name like princess ana," she said.

She added that what begins as a battle for control and perfectionism eventually spirals out of control.

"Part of the challenge of treatment is that there is a competition to be the best anorexic person."

She says even the thin models are made to look emaciated on pro-ana websites, and girls are dying to look just like them.

[GalvestonDuck]

Link?

Please remember to post links when citing news articles.

[TexasStooge]

http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/w ... 596fa.html

[HurryKane]

I saw a few of those websites a couple of years ago when it was brought up on another message board.

It's quite frightening. The pro-ana girls (and guys) are quite protective of their world and their ways. They fight so hard to be nearly dead and it's sad.

[GalvestonDuck]

It's been on "Judging Amy" and one of the "Law & Order" series also.