Starving in cyberspace: a discourse analysis of pro-eating-disorder websites

Recently, we have seen the emergence of 'pro-eating-disorder' websites and Internet communities, providing opportunities for girls and women who practise self-starvation and purging to converse and swap 'tips' online. This has generated discussion about the feminist response to this so-called 'pro-eating-disorder movement'. Although a number of studies have focused on online eating-disorder support groups, they have not examined the material posted on pro-eating-disorder websites. The study reported here is an examination of how members of the pro-eating-disorder movement construct their interests, activities and identities. This was done by performing a poststructuralist style of discourse analysis informed by a feminist perspective on the material downloaded from pro-eating-disorder websites. The analysis highlights the discursive work occurring on the sites around the power of beauty ideals and conformity to these. Yet at the same time, this sub-cultural group is engaged in counter-hegemonic work with regards to dominant meanings surrounding self-starvation and purging. Suggestions for future work are also presented.