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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 14 of 14. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 7, 2006, at 21:54:50
Hi, everyone,
Just wanted to pass this on. I think this site passes?
Bob
--
Pediatrics. 2006 Dec;118(6):e1635-43. Related Articles, Links
Surfing for thinness: a pilot study of pro-eating disorder Web site usage in adolescents with eating disorders.
Wilson JL, Peebles R, Hardy KK, Litt IF.
OBJECTIVE: Pro-eating disorder Web sites are communities of individuals who engage in disordered eating and use the Internet to discuss their activities. Pro-recovery sites, which are less numerous, express a recovery-oriented perspective. This pilot study investigated the awareness and usage of pro-eating disorder Web sites among adolescents with eating disorders and their parents and explored associations with health and quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 698 families of patients (aged 10-22 years) diagnosed with an eating disorder at Stanford between 1997 and 2004. Anonymous surveys were mailed and offered in clinic. Survey content included questions about disease severity, health outcomes, Web site usage, and parental knowledge of eating disorder Web site usage. RESULTS: Surveys were returned by 182 individuals: 76 patients and 106 parents. Parents frequently (52.8%) were aware of pro-eating disorder sites, but an equal number did not know whether their child visited these sites, and only 27.6% had discussed them with their child. Most (62.5%) parents, however, did not know about pro-recovery sites. Forty-one percent of patients visited pro-recovery sites, 35.5% visited pro-eating disorder sites, 25.0% visited both, and 48.7% visited neither. While visiting pro-eating disorder sites, 96.0% reported learning new weight loss or purging techniques. However, 46.4% of pro-recovery site visitors also learned new techniques. Pro-eating disorder site users did not differ from nonusers in health outcomes but reported spending less time on school or schoolwork and had a longer duration of illness. Users of both pro-eating disorder and pro-recovery sites were hospitalized more than users of neither site. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-eating disorder site usage was prevalent among adolescents with eating disorders, yet parents had little knowledge of this. Although use of these sites was not associated with other health outcomes, usage may have a negative impact on quality of life and result in adolescents' learning about and adopting disordered eating behaviors.
Posted by Deneb on December 7, 2006, at 23:05:54
In reply to Surfing for thinness, posted by Dr. Bob on December 7, 2006, at 21:54:50
I visit a pro-eating disorder site. So that's why I've been doing so poorly this semester?
Deneb*
Posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:34:55
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness, posted by Deneb on December 7, 2006, at 23:05:54
> I visit a pro-eating disorder site. So that's why I've been doing so poorly this semester?
>
> Deneb*
>
>It doesn't help. But what I don't understand about the pro sites is that they promote anorexia as a lifestyle. It's not a lifestyle. It's a complication mental illness.
You would probably still have the eating disorder whether you visited the pro ana site. Why do you go? Eating disorders aren't rocket science. You don't need tips to figure it out. So I am just curious as to why you go to the sites (I am not judging you, I am curious)
Maxime
Posted by Deneb on December 10, 2006, at 3:17:52
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness » Deneb, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:34:55
I'm not sure why I go. It's not to get tips. Maybe I'm just curious about those with eating disorders?
Deneb*
Posted by zazenduckie on December 16, 2006, at 12:19:42
In reply to Surfing for thinness, posted by Dr. Bob on December 7, 2006, at 21:54:50
> Hi, everyone,
>
> Just wanted to pass this on. I think this site passes?What do you mean by that? Passes what?
Posted by Racer on December 16, 2006, at 15:25:55
In reply to This site passes? Passes what? » Dr. Bob, posted by zazenduckie on December 16, 2006, at 12:19:42
> > Hi, everyone,
> >
> > Just wanted to pass this on. I think this site passes?
>
> What do you mean by that? Passes what?
>
>
>
I think Dr Bob is trying to say that this site, or more specifically this particular board on this site, is not pro-eating disorder. This board does not promote eating disordered behavior, it's not a place to learn new methods of purging, it's not a place to come to have other people tell you it's OK to engage in eating disordered behaviors.Zazenduckie, I don't understand why you post some of the things you do. I am not sure if saying this is going to be considered civil, but I'm going to tell you something personal right now: this site is like a lifeline to me. It's a place that I've always felt I can turn to for support when I need it -- support which I can rarely reach out for in real life. Yes, I see a therapist, and I work hard with her to learn to reach out in real life, too. I'm starting to learn, but it's harder for me to reach out in real life than to reach out here. I feel less safe about reaching out, though, lately. Some of the posts I've read, not only yours, but including your post on Admin a while ago about shutting down this eating disorders board, have left me afraid that my life line will be withdrawn.
I don't know what's going on in your head, and I don't need to. I don't need you to modify what you post -- but I do need you to realize that there have been adverse consequences resulting from your posts, real ones, even though this is only the internet. Those adverse consequences may not seem real to you, but they're real to me. I just want you to know that.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 16, 2006, at 17:01:51
In reply to Re: This site passes? Passes what? » zazenduckie, posted by Racer on December 16, 2006, at 15:25:55
> there have been adverse consequences resulting from your posts
I'm sorry this site has caused you problems, but keeping in mind that the idea here is not to post anything that could lead others to feel accused, could you please rephrase that?
If you or others have questions about this or about posting policies in general, or are interested in alternative ways of expressing yourself, please first see the FAQ:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#civil
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/faq.html#enforceFollow-ups regarding these issues should be redirected to Psycho-Babble Administration. They, as well as replies to the above post, should of course themselves be civil.
Thanks,
Bob
Posted by Racer on December 16, 2006, at 18:54:06
In reply to Re: please rephrase that » Racer, posted by Dr. Bob on December 16, 2006, at 17:01:51
> > there have been adverse consequences resulting from your posts
>
> I'm sorry this site has caused you problems, but keeping in mind that the idea here is not to post anything that could lead others to feel accused, could you please rephrase that?
>I can try to rephrase that.
I have found support here that has been valuable to me. I have felt upset after reading certain posts. Sometimes I have felt frightened that I will lose this lifeline.
Full stop?
Posted by Deneb on December 17, 2006, at 23:56:36
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness » Deneb, posted by Maxime on December 8, 2006, at 22:34:55
I just read a thread I started back in Jan on another forum about eating disorders. People didn't say the things I wanted them to say. I got very upset.
This doesn't happen on the pro-ana/mia site. I can post what I want and people will not get upset with me. I need that type of support. That is why I go there.
People there accept me for who I am. I like it there.
Deneb*
Posted by Farkus on December 19, 2006, at 6:53:09
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness, posted by Deneb on December 17, 2006, at 23:56:36
> This doesn't happen on the pro-ana/mia site. I can post what I want and people will not get upset with me. I need that type of support. That is why I go there.
>
Is it that they totally agree with what you are planning or are doing?
Do you consider acceptance to be agreement?
I am honestly curious as to how you see support and acceptance.
Posted by Dr. Bob on December 23, 2006, at 14:03:38
In reply to I can try » Dr. Bob, posted by Racer on December 16, 2006, at 18:54:06
Posted by Deneb on December 24, 2006, at 21:33:39
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness » Deneb, posted by Farkus on December 19, 2006, at 6:53:09
> > This doesn't happen on the pro-ana/mia site. I can post what I want and people will not get upset with me. I need that type of support. That is why I go there.
>
> Is it that they totally agree with what you are planning or are doing?
> Do you consider acceptance to be agreement?
> I am honestly curious as to how you see support and acceptance.They support whatever I choose to do. I can post about my binges and purges as many times as I want to and no one gets angry at me for not stopping. I can post my 500 kcal diet plans and people there will celebrate with me when I follow my plan. I can post about wanting to do things the healthy way and people will support that too. When I don't binge or purge for a while people will be happy for me.
Whatever I choose to do, binge and purge, restrict, or recover, the people there will support me. No one tries to convince me to get help unless that is what I want. They are just there for me no matter what.
Deneb*
Posted by Farkus on December 25, 2006, at 7:10:28
In reply to Re: Surfing for thinness » Farkus, posted by Deneb on December 24, 2006, at 21:33:39
I appreciate your honest answer.
I have seen posts to you on these boards that I think are an attempt to tell you what they believe would be helpful to your overall wellbeing and are coming from a place of compassion. You absolutely have the choice as to if you find it that way or not.
Posted by zazenduckie on April 16, 2007, at 12:50:11
In reply to Surfing for thinness, posted by Dr. Bob on December 7, 2006, at 21:54:50
> Hi, everyone,
>
> Just wanted to pass this on. I think this site passes?
>
> BobHow do you figure that?
46 % of visitors to pro-recovery sites learned
new methods of acting out the disorderthe health outcomes of pro recovery and proana groups were the same
users of pro recovery sites were hospitalized more than non users
Proana groups were more destructive than pro recovery groups but that hardly amounts to an endorsement of prorecovery sites does it? Didn't using neither come out ahead of both? I am surprised at your interpretation of the survey but appreciate your input.
I also think there is a wide variety of eating disorder boards don't you? I wonder if they considered the "competitive" effects of posting BMIs and weights on boards which are nominally pro recovery? I also wonder if they considered the role of these boards in "recruiting" girls to the anorexic role. This would be less about learning "techniques" than adopting an identity as an ED person and learning to define herself and her behaviour in ways that gain the approval of the ED community.
I am not criticizing your board just making general observations.
>
> --
>
> Pediatrics. 2006 Dec;118(6):e1635-43. Related Articles, Links
>
> Surfing for thinness: a pilot study of pro-eating disorder Web site usage in adolescents with eating disorders.
>
> Wilson JL, Peebles R, Hardy KK, Litt IF.
>
> OBJECTIVE: Pro-eating disorder Web sites are communities of individuals who engage in disordered eating and use the Internet to discuss their activities. Pro-recovery sites, which are less numerous, express a recovery-oriented perspective. This pilot study investigated the awareness and usage of pro-eating disorder Web sites among adolescents with eating disorders and their parents and explored associations with health and quality of life. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study of 698 families of patients (aged 10-22 years) diagnosed with an eating disorder at Stanford between 1997 and 2004. Anonymous surveys were mailed and offered in clinic. Survey content included questions about disease severity, health outcomes, Web site usage, and parental knowledge of eating disorder Web site usage. RESULTS: Surveys were returned by 182 individuals: 76 patients and 106 parents. Parents frequently (52.8%) were aware of pro-eating disorder sites, but an equal number did not know whether their child visited these sites, and only 27.6% had discussed them with their child. Most (62.5%) parents, however, did not know about pro-recovery sites. Forty-one percent of patients visited pro-recovery sites, 35.5% visited pro-eating disorder sites, 25.0% visited both, and 48.7% visited neither. While visiting pro-eating disorder sites, 96.0% reported learning new weight loss or purging techniques. However, 46.4% of pro-recovery site visitors also learned new techniques. Pro-eating disorder site users did not differ from nonusers in health outcomes but reported spending less time on school or schoolwork and had a longer duration of illness. Users of both pro-eating disorder and pro-recovery sites were hospitalized more than users of neither site. CONCLUSIONS: Pro-eating disorder site usage was prevalent among adolescents with eating disorders, yet parents had little knowledge of this. Although use of these sites was not associated with other health outcomes, usage may have a negative impact on quality of life and result in adolescents' learning about and adopting disordered eating behaviors.
>
> http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=PubMed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=17142493
This is the end of the thread.
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