Microsoft's Spain division has shut down four websites that were promoting anorexia and bulimia. The shut down came as the result of a request by Iqua, an Internet quality control agency.

"It was the first time in Spain that a company housing Internet sites has shut down web pages seen as promoting eating disorders following a complaint from authorities, Iqua said."

Spanish authorities banned another site in January that planned to run a "calorie-reduction" contest where girls could earn "points" based how drastically they were able to cut their daily caloric intake.

Labels: pro-ana, pro-mia

A pro-eating disorder web site is a place where unhealthy eating (or non-eating) habits are encouraged. Many teens who want to loose weight find their way to these sites, which reinforce negative body image and low self-esteem.

"Potentially dangerous venues include Web sites where people who engage in disordered eating gather to discuss their activities. A majority of these sites have sections where people share tips and techniques 'that I would consider as a physician fairly harmful,' [Dr. Rebecca] Peebles said."

Dr. Peebles conducted a study from 1997 to 2004 in which she found that 41% of teen patients had visited a pro-eating disorder Web site. Of these patients, half of their parents had no idea they were visiting the Web sites. Read more at HonoluluAdvertiser.com.

Eating disorders may be not be the only issue facing your teen. An adolescent residential treatment program can help get to the root of your teen's problems and create a treatment plan. Learn more about residential treatment programs for teens, like The Aspen Insitute of Behavioral Assessment, at www.aspenassessment.com.

Labels: influences, pro-ana, pro-mia