WEB PAGES PRO ANA

Pro-ana refers to the promotion of behaviors related to the eating disorder

anorexia nervosa. It is often referred to simply as ana and is sometimes
personified by anorexics as a girl named 'Ana.
Such
advocacy
has
flourished on the Internet, mainly through tight-knit support groups centred
on web forums and, more recently, social network services such as l,
Facebook and Myspace. These groups are typically small, vulnerable, partly
hidden and characterized by frequent migrations. They also have an
overwhelmingly female readership and are frequently the only means of
support available to socially isolated anorexics.
Members of such support groups may:

Share crash dieting techniques and recipes

Coach each other on using socially acceptable pretexts for refusing

food, such as
veganism (which is notably more prevalent in the eatingdisordered in general.

Compete with each other at losing weight, or fast together in displays

of solidarity.

Commiserate with one another after breaking fast or binging.

Advise on how to best induce vomiting, and on using laxatives and

emetics.

Give tips on hiding weight loss from parents and doctors.

Share information on reducing the side-effects of anorexia.]

Post their weight, body measurements, details of their dietary

regimen or pictures of themselves to solicit acceptance and affirmation.

Suggest ways to ignore or suppress hunger pangs.

Many have popular blogs and forums on which members seek

companionship by posting about their daily lives or boasting about personal
accomplishments of weight loss.