Pro-anas/young girls eating too little.

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

Am I the only one getting concerned with the vast amount of, usually young, girls on here trying to eat way too low or showing signs of an eating disorder?

I have had a worrying amount of girls add me who do/say worrying things like 'I'm gonna exercise to keep me in the negative' or have diaries with 800 calorie as a goal but still netting even under that!

It's bugging the hell out of me, is there anything I can actually do. What is MFP's stance on this? Or is all I can do is talk to them or delete them? And how to distinguish between someone with a real ED or someone just attention seeking (not that that isn't a cause for concern either).

Has anyone else experienced this?

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, I have very limited experience with these kind of eating disorders.

_HeathBar_ · April 2012

3. No Promotion of Unsafe Weight-Loss Techniques or Eating Disorders

a) Posts intended to promote potentially unsafe or controversial weight loss products or procedures, including non-medically prescribed supplements or MLM products will be removed without warning.
b) No pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia posts, groups, profile names, or profile bylines. Photos intended to promote or glamorize extreme thinness are also not permitted.

From the community guidelines. You can report these members that you are referring to. Hopefully they can get some professional help.

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

3. No Promotion of Unsafe Weight-Loss Techniques or Eating Disorders

a) Posts intended to promote potentially unsafe or controversial weight loss products or procedures, including non-medically prescribed supplements or MLM products will be removed without warning.
b) No pro-anorexia or pro-bulimia posts, groups, profile names, or profile bylines. Photos intended to promote or glamorize extreme thinness are also not permitted.

From the community guidelines. You can report these members that you are referring to. Hopefully they can get some professional help.

I'm ooh'ing and ahhh'ing whether to do that, or not. Do you know whether they will be sent a message or will just be outright deleted? I want them to get help, but it seriously makes me angry to see it.

Thanks for letting me know about the option to report, hun.

coliema · April 2012

Why don't you just personally send a message to them stating your concern if you're that worried about it. What's the worst they can do? Ignore you? Tell you they don't want your opinion?

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

Why don't you just personally send a message to them stating your concern if you're that worried about it. What's the worst they can do? Ignore you? Tell you they don't want your opinion?

Of course. I can do that. But this thread was to;

A) Raise the issue with other members and see if they have noticed it.

Find out my options and how MFP deals with it.

coliema · April 2012

All user's have noticed it, I've seen threads like this, and I've seen people message the person directly, delete them, or report their behaviors. MFP, as posted above, has rules about that, and you can report the person, it's the best thing to do, although it might not help them because regardless of if they are on the site or not, they will continue to starve themselves

it's sad...but it's hard to get it through their head that what they're doing is harming themselves..

deadbeatsummer · April 2012

I don't think reporting them and getting them deleted is the answer - these young women (and men) have clearly got some issues that require peoples understand and kindness. Hopefully by showing them how to lose weight healthily in a non destructivve way, it can help them be more positive.

And i don't think there are such thing as someone 'just doing it for attention', i think that's a bit cruel - they must have issues to want to seek attention like that in the first place.

Reporting people for having an illness is not the answer.

kurenaikumo · April 2012

I think you're broadening the guidelines to fit your agenda there. It states "Posts that promote"... etc etc etc. Simply setting your calorie goal at 800 isn't particularly promoting anything to anyone and technically not breaking rules according to that specific language. Some might say setting it at 1200 like I have is too low, but they aren't perhaps aware of my height, body frame, activity level or personal health issues.

That said, I don't agree with it at all. I had a few anorexic friends and bulimic one growing up. It's really sad to stand by and watch... It's not our job to be the MFP Police, but I certainly would encourage you to say something in a kind way to them if they are friends.

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

I don't think reporting them and getting them deleted is the answer - these young women (and men) have clearly got some issues that require peoples understand and kindness. Hopefully by showing them how to lose weight healthily in a non destructivve way, it can help them be more positive.

And i don't think there are such thing as someone 'just doing it for attention', i think that's a bit cruel - they must have issues to want to seek attention like that in the first place.

Reporting people for having an illness is not the answer.

I know they must have issues to seek attention, hence why I said this in the original post;

'...someone just attention seeking (not that that isn't a cause for concern either).'

And I think there is a difference between having a real ED and doing it for attention. When I was about 13, or so, I actually 'tried' to make myself throw up after eating. And I 'tried' to be anorexic. I was doing it for attention and to feel loved/like someone cared. I don't deny that attention seeking shows a problem, and I don't trivialise it, but it's like there's a difference between actually having clinical depression and trying to seek out attention because you feel unloved.

WhittRak · April 2012

I don't think reporting them and getting them deleted is the answer - these young women (and men) have clearly got some issues that require peoples understand and kindness. Hopefully by showing them how to lose weight healthily in a non destructivve way, it can help them be more positive.

And i don't think there are such thing as someone 'just doing it for attention', i think that's a bit cruel - they must have issues to want to seek attention like that in the first place.

Reporting people for having an illness is not the answer.

Very well put. And..your hair is fabulous!! :flowerforyou:

coliema · April 2012

Everyone has their own opinion.

secretlobster · April 2012

Everyone has their own opinion.

You're entitled to your opinion if you think drinking bleach is a great idea. That doesn't mean it is.

secretlobster · April 2012

I don't think reporting them and getting them deleted is the answer - these young women (and men) have clearly got some issues that require peoples understand and kindness. Hopefully by showing them how to lose weight healthily in a non destructivve way, it can help them be more positive.

And i don't think there are such thing as someone 'just doing it for attention', i think that's a bit cruel - they must have issues to want to seek attention like that in the first place.

Reporting people for having an illness is not the answer.

I agree with you, it is a very sensitive topic and these people really need help. The sad part is that help is very difficult to give to someone on the internet who is looking to find support for continuing their illness. I've had an ED before and you can't simply tell someone to stop. EDs are extremely complicated, there should really be resources here for helping anorexic people determine that they may have a problem and finding a professional to help, or confiding in a person they know and trust.

andreanicole686 · April 2012

You can try to show them the healthy way or give them advice and it doesn't work. I've tried. I too have had many girls say ED related comments and I deleted them. It is very sad. I wish on MFP they could do something more about it. It amazes me how many younger girls have eating disorders.

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

Everyone has their own opinion.

You're entitled to your opinion if you think drinking bleach is a great idea. That doesn't mean it is.

:laugh:

InnerFatGirl · April 2012

You can try to show them the healthy way or give them advice and it doesn't work. I've tried. I too have had many girls say ED related comments and I deleted them. It is very sad. I wish on MFP they could do something more about it. It amazes me how many younger girls have eating disorders.

^totally agree.

emilynicole02 · April 2012

You can try to show them the healthy way or give them advice and it doesn't work. I've tried. I too have had many girls say ED related comments and I deleted them. It is very sad. I wish on MFP they could do something more about it. It amazes me how many younger girls have eating disorders.

I agree with you. People are gonna do what they wanna do no matter what.... whether you try to talk with them about what is healthy and what isn't. And chances are, if they are eating so little and may potentially be starving themselves I am sure family/friends/etc have already said something or raised concern or already know about this and can't seem to help the person...if this said ED person can't listen to their own surroundings and people at home.. they more than likely aren't going to listen to some random person on the internet.. no offense to anyone..

I say maybe make a couple concerned comments about the little amount they have eaten, don't give congrats on "being under for the day" unless you look at their diary, then delete and move on with your life.

Pro-anas/young girls eating too little.

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