Anorexia nervosa as a lifestyle choice is dangerous and a health risk. With anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder, a person tries to maintain a weight that is far below his or her physician-recommended healthy weight. People suffering from the disorder will generally obsess about food, weight gain/loss and may excessively exercise in order to control their bodies' physical appearance.
Not a discriminating disorder, anorexia nervosa can affect children as young as six years old, young men and women in their 30s and 40s. However, it is most common in girls ages 12 to 19. Many young women suffering from anorexia nervosa will turn their backs on help, denying the problem and choosing a pro-anorexia lifestyle. These females often refer to themselves as Anas. A Google search of the term "pro-Ana sites" will generate more than 2 million results.
For almost 10 years, the Internet has been home to sites considered pro-anorexia, also known as pro-Ana sites. Most people assume the term is short for anorexic; however, according to HouseOfThin.com, the term's original roots stem from the religious connotation, Anamadim. The origin of Anamadim can be traced to the site Underground Grotto.
Posted on the website Pro-thinspo.com, young women can find the Ana Creed, Ana Psalm and Ana Commandments. Several other Pro-Ana sites include these as well. The creed, psalm and commandments reach out to anyone wanting to embrace anorexia nervosa as a lifestyle choice. The message is disturbing. It advocates self-loathing and encourages starvation for the sake of unattainable perfection.
According to the Mayo Clinic, anorexia nervosa is not about food. It is a way an individual attempts to cope with emotional problems, usually extreme self-worth issues. These issues are evident in the Ana Creed. The second line in the Ana Creed states, "I believe that I am the most vile, worthless and useless person ever to have existed on this planet, and that I am totally unworthy of anyone's time and attention." Harsh words-but powerful and typical of the pro-Ana lifestyle.
Two different pro-Ana camps exist. HouseOfThin.com says that pro-Ana is a way for people suffering from anorexia nervosa to come to terms with their disorders without shame and fear. Unlike Pro-thinspo.com and TheAnaBelles.blogspot.com, HouseOfThin does provide visitors with a section titled Reducing the Eating Disorder Risk. The information provided there is the same offered by many doctors and professionals regarding the eating disorder of anorexia nervosa.
Other sites encourage anorexia nervosa as a lifestyle choice by encouraging their readers to follow the Ana Creed, Psalm and Commandments. These sites post tips and tricks for extreme weight loss, including unhealthy tactics like increasing your daily caffeine intake to decrease appetite and never eating dinner. The pro-anorexia lifestyle sites also post pictures of extremely thin women, some who appear to be nothing more than skin over a skeleton.
Anorexia nervosa as a lifestyle choice is not recommended by medical professionals.
Check out our anorexia guide with articles on the warning signs of anorexia, social causes of anorexia, anorexia in men, the dangers of pro anorexia sites and more. |
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The side effects of anorexia both physical and psychological can linger long after treatment. People with anorexia, even those who are successfully treated, run the risk of developing chronic illnesses that can cut their life expectancy. |
Social causes of anorexia are contributing to the disease and worsening its effects on teenagers. Unfortunately, anorexia has become an almost glamorous disorder to have, something which actresses and models seem to constantly be dealing with. |
Kids can become obsessed with their body image through social and media influences. Parents need to send a healthy message. |
The influence of the media on anorexia cannot be ignored or downplayed. It is a major contributor to the eating disorder. Young women have always faced body image issues, but today's media is helping to exaggerate the problem. |
If you are a parent or a loved one of a child suffering from the signs of Anorexia, knowing the symptoms, health risks and treatment options could save your child?s life |
Knowing the warning signs of anorexia can help parents to aid their child in receiving treatment before the disease progresses to dangerous levels. |
How to treat anorexia. Before treatment begins, parents and friends must understand that the disease is about control and self-esteem. |
Male anorexia is more common than you think, although it's oftern harder to spot. |
Dad's obsession with looking fit could cause an eating disorder in kids. |
