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Loughborough academic puts spotlight on pro-anorexia in cyberspace
Posted on 06/03/08
P. Klein
In the same month British MPs have called for social networking websites to do more to monitor pro-anorexia groups a Loughborough University academic has published a book that investigates the subject in depth.
The Medicalization of Cyberspace, co-written by Loughboroughs Dr Emma Rich and Andy Miah of the University of the West of Scotland, is the first ever book to explore the relationship between digital culture and medical sociology and investigate the culture of pro-anorexia groups on the internet.
Pro-ana refers to the promotion or support of anorexia nervosa as a lifestyle choice rather than an eating disorder. It is often referred to simply as "ana" and is sometimes affectionately personified by anorexics as a girl named Ana.
Pro-ana is a loosely descriptive term rather than an organized social movement, and as such encompasses a wide range of views. Many pro-ana organizations state that they do not promote anorexia and acknowledge that anorexia is a real medical disorder, and that they exist mainly to give anorexics a place to turn to discuss their illness in a non-judgmental environment: some promote recovery while still supporting those who choose to defer or refuse medical or psychological treatment. Others go further, disputing the prevailing psychological and medical consensus that treats anorexia nervosa as a mental illness rather than a "lifestyle choice" that should be respected by doctors and family
Rich and Miah have researched the online pro-ana movement in depth and have criticised recent calls to remove such groups from the internet, explaining such moves would isolate sufferers further.
While we have no wish to promote eating disorders, we must be cautious not to respond to pro-ana sites as wholly dangerous, said Dr Rich. Calling for the removal of pro-ana spaces from Facebook will only obscure such communities even further.
As things stand, anyone can join these groups and the identities of users is much clearer than it is for other web spaces. If medics are concerned about the users within these communities, they stand a much better chance of offering support than they will by these groups existing in a lower profile webspace.
Dr Rich adds that the assumption such sites encourage eating disorders is misled and that many sites appear in response to a unfulfilled need for support.
It would be nave to assume that people, especially young women, can be swayed into anorexia through social networking sites like Facebook, she said. All this does is further pathologise those experiencing the condition. If nothing else, these sites emerge from the desperate need for understanding and social support that these people seek.
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Created: Saturday 27th of December 2008 04:36:49 AM  Loughborough academic puts spotlight on pro-anorexia in cyberspace In the same month British MPs have called for social networking websites to do more to monitor pro-anorexia groups a Loughborough University academic has published a book that investigates the subject in depth. The Medicalization of Cyberspace, co-written by Loughborough s Dr Emma Rich and Andy Miah of the University of the West of Scotland, is the first ever book to explore the relationship between digital culture and medical sociology and investigate the culture of pro-anorexia groups on the internet.... Read More: Loughborough academic puts spotlight on pro-anorexia in cyberspace |
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