In a country where more than 1.5 million people are struggling with eating disorders, psychiatrists are calling for change. This week, as London’s Fashion Week gets underway, British psychiatrists are demanding the government do something about pro-anorexia websites.
“Encouraged by social networking sites like Facebook and ‘thinspiration’ websites, growing numbers of Britons are looking online to get tips on how to starve themselves or hide extreme weight loss, says the Royal College of Psychiatrists. ‘(These) websites normalize illness,’ said Professor Ulrike Schmidt, chair of the college’s eating disorders section.” [Source: Reuters]
In a report released this week, the College is calling for government intervention as part of its larger strategy to protect children from being exploited via the Internet. An estimated one out of every ten girls looks at pro-eating-disorder websites. The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) says its working to address the problem.
Labels: pro-anorexia, internet
Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton