Investigating the impact of pro-anorexia websites: A pilot study

Objective: This pilot study examined the affective and cognitive consequences of exposure to a pro-anorexia website. Method: Young women (N = 24) were randomly assigned to view one of three websites created by the investigators: a prototypical pro-anorexia website, a website about female fashion using average-sized models, or an appearance-neutral website about home decor. Participants completed a set of questionnaires assessing mood and cognitions pre- and post-website. Results: Trends indicated that women who viewed the pro-anorexia website decreased in, self-esteem, appearance self-efficacy, and perceived attractiveness, and increased in negative affect and perception of being overweight. This pattern was not found among women who viewed the control websites. Discussion: Preliminary data suggest that viewing pro-anorexia websites has negative affective and cognitive effects on young women. Future directions are discussed. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association.