Pro-anorexia cultural identity: The characteristics of a lifestyle in a virtual community

Abstract

Anorexia nervosa is a disease listed in the International Classification of Diseases. However, young pro-anorexics believe they are adopting a "lifestyle". The aim of this paper is analyze the "cultural identity" of these youth, investigating a Brazilian Virtual Community. Virtual Ethnography was used methodologically in three "units of meaning" found in this community: the tension between anorexia as a disease versus anorexia as a lifestyle, the ideal of perfection and the meaning of belonging to the group. The results suggest that pro-anorexia identity differs from the biomedical model. She admits that the thin body serves as reference for social recognition and economic success. In this sense, the online forums allow construction of identity based on anonymity. We conclude that studies of anorexic practices in Virtual communities should be encouraged because they contribute to understanding the universe of the adolescents and collaborate to promote policies and actions for their health.