Eating disorders are incredibly prevalent, affecting 30 million individuals in the United States each year. Technology, more specifically social media, has attempted to normalize the harm and accelerated the prevalence of eating disorders. A simple search on social media or a Google search of words like "fitness," "fitspo," (fitness inspiration) or "weight loss" can provide an introduction to the world of eating disorders because of the vast online pseudo-communities created to encourage each other in perceived successes and failures.
Here are some words you can keep an eye out for when watching for toxic eating disorder content online.
- Meanspo: Short for "mean inspiration", meanspo is just as it sounds- insulting statements meant to shame anyone who is not "thin enough" to inspire them to stop eating, purge and lose weight.
- Thinspo: Short for "thin inspiration", thinspo is usually accompanied by a picture or video of someone who is very thin to be seen as a sort of goal to inspire eating disorders.
- Pro-Ana: Individuals who identify themselves as pro-anorexia. They encourage themselves and others to pursue an anorexic lifestyle. They don't see anorexia as a problem, they think it's a great thing! Often portrayed by the hashtag #proana (sometimes just #ana) on social media.
- Pro-Mia: Similar to Pro-Ana, but Pro-Mia are people who identify themselves as pro-bulimia. They encourage themselves and others to pursue a bulimic lifestyle. Often portrayed by the hashtag #promia (sometimes just #mia) on social media.
- Bonespo or Ribspiration: Similar to "mean inspiration", "bone inspiration" often involves photos of dangerously thin people, usually women, with protruding bones, serving as an inspiration for someone to eventually look like that, encouraging viewers in their eating disorders.
As the primary educators of their children, it is essential for parents to have earnest conversations with their children about eating disorders, especially because it affects millions of people every year. Axis made a list of questions and conversation starters to help these conversations.
For more resources and help with eating disorders, visit EatingDisorderHope.com.