SINGAPOREAN netizens are getting riled up over a dangerous Internet trend: Pro-eating disorder websites and support groups painting eating disorders as a lifestyle choice.
Dubbing themselves “thinspiration” or “pro-ana and mia” (which stand for pro-anorexia nervosa and bulimia respectively) websites, a check by my paper found almost 500 different pro-eating disorder websites, groups and YouTube videos online.
Most originate from the United States and Britain.
Such sites usually contain quotes like “what nourishes me also destroys me”, and feature bone-thin models.
A spokesman for Project WiTHIN, a Singaporean youth group dedicated to helping those who suffer from eating disorders, says that while it is difficult to ascertain the impact and effects of these sites, there are those who would be motivated to continue their eating disorders upon seeing or joining such sites and groups.
The spokesman adds that this is ultimately “an unhealthy trend as these are groups of unhealthy people trying to advocate eating disorders”.
Dr Ken Ung, 46, a psychiatrist at Adam Road Medical Centre, says that food disorders are usually “diseases of denial”, adding that “thinspiration” websites are “one-stop places for sufferers to fish out ideas to hide their disorders”.
Dominique Joy, a netizen from an American Facebook pro-eating disorder group, wrote in a post that being part of such a group provides “order to a somewhat-chaotic life... with like-minded people”.
The dangers of such websites are hitting very close to home.
M, a Singaporean girl who cannot be named because she is below 18, learnt about a “supermodel diet” when surfing thinspiration websites.
She then began eating tissues for four months until she was discovered by her mother. M has since been diagnosed with anorexia nervosa and is now being treated.
Student Therese Heng, 20, a recovering anorexic, says the presence of such sites could hinder an already-difficult recovery process for those suffering from eating disorders.
Dr Ung advises those who suspect they are suffering from an eating disorder to seek professional help.
The extent of the disease and the treatment required are different for each person.
Project WiTHIN says that individuals suffering from eating disorders should seek help, to evaluate their definitions of beauty and perfection and to work on their self-esteem, as that is the root cause of eating disorders.
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"Eating tissues for four months" -- who exactly is propagating the idea that bone thin>healthy bodies? Magazines? Media? Your parents? It's difficult to say where such a mentality took root.
Not too long ago, it was women who spilled over in their dresses that represented beauty - just look at any work of art from the Renaissance. When did things start changing??
On the other hand, I do believe that society as a whole is taking steps towards re-working the idea of 'beauty' into one that doesn't destroy those who carry it. Emphasis by S'pore on a healthy BMI and netizens having their voices heard (re: the incident of Britney Spears being called "fat" when she was hardly anything close), as well as modeling agencies themselves expanding their repertoire to include so-called 'normal' looking models are evidence .....
Take this community for example; http://community.livejournal.com/proanorexia
They dubbed themselves as the "World's largest pro-anorexia site".
Perhaps the govt shld focus more efforts in educating these girls on the dangers of anorexia / bulimia from a young age, maybe from early secondary education.