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Mento C, Silvestri MC, Muscatello MRA, Rizzo A, Celebre L, Praticò M, Zoccali RA, Bruno A. Psychological Impact of Pro-Anorexia and Pro-Eating Disorder Websites on Adolescent Females: A Systematic Review. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2021; 18:2186. [PMID: 33672305 PMCID: PMC7926357 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18042186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
(1) Background: Teenagers (in particular, females) suffering from eating disorders report being not satisfied with their physical aspect and they often perceive their body image in a wrong way; they report an excessive use of websites, defined as PRO-ANA and PRO-MIA, that promote an ideal of thinness, providing advice and suggestions about how to obtain super slim bodies. (2) Aim: The aim of this review is to explore the psychological impact of pro-ana and pro-mia websites on female teenagers. (3) Methods: We have carried out a systematic review of the literature on PubMed. The search terms that have been used are: "Pro" AND "Ana" OR "Blogging" AND "Mia". Initially, 161 publications were identified, but in total, in compliance with inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 studies have been analyzed. (4) Results: The recent scientific literature has identified a growing number of Pro Ana and Pro Mia blogs which play an important role in the etiology of anorexia and bulimia, above all in female teenagers. The feelings of discomfort and dissatisfaction with their physical aspect, therefore, reduce their self-esteem. (5) Conclusion: These websites encourage anorexic and bulimic behaviors, in particular in female teenagers. Attention to healthy eating guidelines and policies during adolescence, focused on correcting eating behavioral aspects, is very important to prevent severe forms of psychopathology with more vulnerability in the perception of body image, social desirability, and negative emotional feedback.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Mento
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Maria Catena Silvestri
- Psychiatric Unit, Policlinico Hospital “G. Martino”, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Maria Rosaria Anna Muscatello
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Amelia Rizzo
- Psychiatric Unit, Policlinico Hospital “G. Martino”, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.C.S.); (A.R.)
| | - Laura Celebre
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Martina Praticò
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Rocco Antonio Zoccali
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
| | - Antonio Bruno
- Department of Biomedical, Dental Sciences and Morphofunctional Imaging, University of Messina, Psychiatric Unit Policlinico “G. Martino” Hospital, 98124 Messina, Italy; (M.R.A.M.); (L.C.); (M.P.); (R.A.Z.); (A.B.)
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