Groups have been wonderful for folks to have a chance to connect with like-minded others on a variety in topics of discussion. However, having said that: Laura_beau and I felt that it would be best to remind everyone that, even though we are an individual group, we are still governed by MyFitnessPal's rules and regulations. We both agree that we do not want our group to ever suffer the possibility of ever being shut down, we have a great group of people and want to maintain all rules that MFP expects us to follow so we can continue being the great group that we are.

Having said that, it seems lately that there is a rise in concerns regarding the category of folks with Eating Disorders and folks who willingly eat well below 1000/1200 calories per day on MFP as a whole. Ive held a few discussions with some of the managers of MFP, and MFP has made a strong stand that those with ED's who are utilizing MFP for their recovery are more than welcome, as outlined in their Community Rules. Here is a direct quote:

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) Profiles, groups, messages, posts, or wall comments that encourage anorexia, bulimia, or very low calorie diets of any kind will be removed, and may be grounds for account deletion. This includes positive references to ana/mia, purging, or self-starving. Our goal is to provide users with the tools to achieve their weight management goals at a steady, sustainable rate. Use of the site to promote or glamorize dangerously low levels of eating is not permitted.
c ) Photos intended to glamorize extreme thinness will be deleted.
---->d) Those seeking support in their recovery from eating disorders are welcome at MyFitnessPal.

After discussing with Laura_beau, we both thought this would be a good reference and a friendly reminder as well.

And in final - please note: MFP has on each and every message board, this clip:

Posts by members, moderators and admins should not be considered medical advice and no guarantee is made against accuracy.

I am asking our members to not take offense if you receive a message from either a Moderator or an MFP member that says "you really should be consulting with a medical professional/doctor and not MFP"... We say things like this because MFP is truly not a physician or viable medical resource. Any and all medical/health/behavioral health related questions can still be discussed but, speaking as someone who actively works in healthcare since 1995, I can definitely tell you that general information is about the only piece of knowledge you will get from anyone and it is advised that you do not accept the recommendations of taking any medications without consulting your primary care physician/general practitioners, injuries and continued exercise really should be directed to the physicians who last treated you. Should someone recommend an OTC, a new prescription medication to try, tell you what exercises is ok to do with an injury, please consider the fact that what was prescribed for that member is based on their individual health and history. It may not apply to you and your individual health and history.

The underlying message of seek the advice of your medical provider is not a personal attack - it is to remind you that this is not a medical website that knows your entire medical history, your labs, your blood workup, your diagnostics, etc. The real resource is available through your primary care physicians.



Thanks!!!

LCDF Moderators
Laura_beau
CramerNH