A Web of Deceit: Internet Sites Encouraging Anorexia Draw Alarm from the Medical Community

A disturbing article, written by Dawn Sagario, describes a notably important problem of many men and women, who struggle with a disease called Anorexia. The author writes, that Internet web sites, such as "Pro-Anorexia", "Stick Figures", and "Anorexic Nation" become a source of inspiration and support for those who struggle with Anorexia, and who want to loose weight through unhealthy habits of starvation, which can lead to potential illnesses and even death. The followers of these web sites exchange tips on how to become thin as well as encourage each other to starve. Sagario gives examples of some messages from one of the pro-anorexia web sites, such as "Being thin and not eating are signs of true willpower and success", and also "Being thin is more important than being healthy" (Sagario, p. 41). The author also states, that some of the companies, including Yahoo! started to block the pro-anorexic web sites from the users due to the request by the National Eating Disorder Association (p. 41). Many doctors and psychiatrists are disturbed by the fact, that these web-sites do not promote recovery; they rather encourage the disease, which can lead to numbers of anorexic men and women growing. In the article, Sagario also describes a recovering woman, suffering from anorexia, Trudy Randall. She claims that if she has seen the pro-anorexic web-sites before, or knew about their existence, she would have used this extra support and just die. However, Randall was able to recover and still continues to visit a counselor. The problem is, though, how many people still follow the web-sites in the Internet, which promote anorexia, and how many will die for being thin.

* Sagario, D., (2006). A web of deceit: Internet sites ecnouraging anorexia draw alarm from the medical community. The Meaning of Dress. 2nd. Ed., Fairchild Publications, Inc. New York, NY.

This article reminded me of a statement made by English model Kate Moss, in which she stated "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." For someone who is so influential, inspirational and possibly a role model for many young girls and women, making a statement as this can easily promote a disease such as anorexia. This statement from Kate Moss is as harmful as the internet websites which promote anorexia. Instead of using her fame to promote a healthy lifestyle, she is encouraging unhealthy habits. Its' things like this that cause many to develop the fatal disease of anorexia.


In Dawn Sagarios article where it states what certain internet sites were saying about how good it is to be anorexic I saw a few quotes who stood out to me the most, "If you aren't thin you aren't attractive." "Being thin is more important than being healthy." "Anorexia is a lifestyle, not a disease" These quotes got my attention because this is not what individuals should be seeing on the internet. When young teens see such harmful things posted on the internet they get encouraged and want to be just like any other anorexic person. Being super thin does not make anyone so called attractive, healthy or give you any sighs of success and power.  Anorexia is not a healthy disease, and it shouldn't inspire so many individuals amongst the world. These websites like "Stick Figure, Pre-Anorexia,and Anorexia Nation" are all saying how "if you aren't thin you aren't attractive" that is definitely not the case, because anorexia can lead to a horrible health issue, and or even death.

Reading this article, which discusses the problems among anorexic women, is quite distressing. It is hard enough on people suffering from anorexia, and many pro-anorexia websites worsen the condition of many women that are suffering from the disease. These patients suffering from anorexia are trying to leave that unhealthy lifestyle. But to know that websites are supporting their unhealthy lifestyles is a unfortunate thing. But it was relieve that the article mentioned that Yahoo has been removing pro-anorexia websites from their servers. It is good to know that they wish for the well being of individuals suffering from anorexia. The article referred to one of the websites displaying an image of Angelina Jolie, with her bones out and sunken cheekbones. This is quite disturbing and painful to see how much the media and "oh-so-perfect" celebrities are influencing so many young girls in negative ways. Anorexia is a disease and not a lifestyle, and women everywhere should be awakened and educated on the risks of anorexia.