A study conducted by the government of Germany has found a dramatic increase in the number of web sites that promote and encourage eating disorders. According to a report titled “Youth Protection on the Internet,” the government found 328 pro-eating disorder sites in 2009, a huge jump from the 250 that were found the year before.

“[The study] noted that operators of the websites were often young people with eating disorders who were not interested in therapy. The websites used slogans like ‘being thin is more important than being healthy,’ and showed pictures of extremely thin women.” [Source: Earth Times]

The study also found that these web sites primarily attracted girls who were 16-years-old and younger.

Labels: pro-ana, pro-mia, internet

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton