BAN OREXIA; Justice chiefs urged to outlaw internet sites backing diet disease.Byline: MARK AITKEN WEBSITES that promote anorexia are facing a campaign to outlaw them. MSPs want the UK Government to introduce laws that fine or jail owners of sites promoting self-harm. There are around 500 "pro-ana" websites promoting the eating disorder eat·ing disorder n. Any of several patterns of severely disturbed eating behavior, especially anorexia nervosa and bulimia, seen mainly in female teenagers and young women. which kills up to one in 10 sufferers. Many show disturbing images of anorexics and offer tips on vomiting and using laxatives to lose weight. TV presenter Fearne Cotton Fearne Marie Cotton (born 3 September 1982) is a British television presenter and DJ. Known for presenting a number of popular TV programmes such as Top of the Pops and Red Nose Day is furious at the sites after one portrayed her as a role model. The SNP's Kenneth Gibson
 For the national legislative body up to 1707, see Parliament of Scotland. The Scottish Parliament (Scottish Gaelic: Pàrlamaid na h-Alba; Scots: Scottish Pairlament motion by fellow MSPs, called on Westminster to crack down on the websites. More than 80,000 people in Scotland are estimated to suffer from anorexia. Gibson said: "I am deeply concerned about sites that portray anorexia as a glamorous lifestyle choice rather than potentially fatal with the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness. "Messages on these sites fiercely defend weight loss as an act of self-control to be admired. "Support groups share tips on how to accelerate weight loss and disguise fasting from concerned friends and family, compete with each other at losing weight or fast together in displays of solidarity. "Yahoo and Microsoft have taken action against pro-anorexia websites, regularly shutting them down. "However social networking See social networking site. social networking - social network sites are failing to take action." TV star Fearne is among the horrified hor·ri·fy tr.v. hor·ri·fied, hor·ri·fy·ing, hor·ri·fies 1. To cause to feel horror. See Synonyms at dismay. 2. To cause unpleasant surprise to; shock. celebrities being used to promote pro-anorexia websites. The 26-year-old found a picture of herself online while filming a documentary about the web and eating disorders. She said: "To think girls would use that is horrific. I wish I could take myself off this site. I don't want to be associated with this." Last year French politicians introduced a bill making it a criminal offence in France "to encourage another person to seek excessive thinness". Offenders risk two years in prison or a pounds 24,000 fine. Gibson called for similar laws in Britain, adding: "The punishment seems to be suitable." Eating disorder charity Beat backs support for anorexia sufferers but does not want websites outlawed. Boss Susan Ringwood said: "They are potentially dangerous ban would not deal with the root causes of the problem. "People who use these awful sites tell us it can be the only place where they feel understood, accepted and not judged. "We are calling on everyone to provide that understanding, so that a pro-ana site is no longer the only refuge." A Ministry of Justice said the issue was a matter for MPs to decide.. HEATHER'S STORY FORMER anorexic an·o·rex·ic adj. Relating to or suffering from anorexia nervosa. an  o·rex Heather Dewar admits the images on a pro-anorexia
website shocked her to the core.
Her own weight had crashed to a lifethreatening four-and-a-half stones, so she was prepared to see painfully skinny girls. What Heather, of Edinburgh, did not expect was to read users giving "thinspiration" to each other to stay anorexic. Heather, 33, a former radio presenter who is now a sports journalist, said: "These websites are dangerous. When I was anorexic, they did not exist. "For me, anorexia was a private battle of control. I wouldn't admit to having it but these websites alter that. You have young girls - and boys - discussing their anorexia and egging each other on to be skinnier and not to eat for that day. "It is shocking the Government doesn't step in to do more." Heather's anorexia was never about trying to be thin. She believes the stress of her university course led her to it. At her lowest ebb, Heather was told she had just two weeks to live. She was sectioned and admitted to a psychiatric ward. She now supports the charity Beat which helps people with eating disorders. She said: "Anorexia is a mental health issue and the last thing someone who is anorexic needs is encouragement to eat less." Reluctant role model: This picture of Fearne was used on sites MSP (1) (Management Service Provider or Managed Service Provider) An organization that manages a customer's computer systems and networks which are either located on the customer's premises or at a third-party datacenter. Gibson, right, wants banned CAPTION(S): Out of control: Heather, left, was just two weeks from death, above Reluctant role model: This picture of Fearne was used on sites MSP Gibson, right, wants banned |
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