They are encouraging your kids not to eat. There are more than 8,000 YouTube videos telling young girls that skinny is the way to go, and giving them some disturbing role models. Do people really pay attention to these so-called 'Thinspos' - short for Thinspiration videos?
Here are some comments from some of the videos:
"This video helps me stick with my diet. I'm going to finally look like them," says one user.
"Lean is good but thin is fantastic," says another.
However, eating disorders can be very dangerous, leading to serious health problems and even death. Parents need to be aware of what their kids are watching on the Internet, says Anne Elliot, who runs
Sheena's Place, a group for people with eating disorders.
"These are life and death images," says Elliot. "Eating disorders are very serious illnesses."
All the young women that
CityNews showed the videos to felt the same way:
"Personally I think it's disgusting," says Toronto student Tanisha Jhuman. "You should be happy with who you are and stuff like that shouldn't be on YouTube."
But the call to crack down on the videos isn't getting much speed online. YouTube maintains the site content belongs to the users.
However, the web does offer some sound advice on spotting the signs of eating disorders:
Anorexia
- Vomit or use laxatives or water pills (diuretics) to avoid weight gain.
- Develop odd habits about food, like cutting all their food into tiny pieces or chewing every bite a certain number of times.
- Become secretive.
- Pulling away from family and friends, make excuses not to eat around other people, and lie about their eating habits.
Bulimia
- Goes to the bathroom right after meals.
- Overeats but does not gain weight.
- Is secretive about eating, hides food, or will not eat around other people.
- Exercises a lot, even when she does not feel well.
- Often talks about dieting, weight, and body shape.
- Uses laxatives or diuretics often.
- Has teeth marks or calluses on the back of her hands or swollen cheeks or jaws, caused by forced vomiting.
Source: WebMD
Where can you go for help if you or a loved one are suffering from either eating disorder? Check out the following links.
Cdn. Centre Addiction and Mental Health
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Sheena's Place
Bellwood Health Services
New Realities Eating Disorder Centre