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Pro‐anorexia coaches prey on individuals with eating disorders.

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Title: Pro‐anorexia coaches prey on individuals with eating disorders.
Authors: Simons, E. I., Noteboom, F., van Furth, E. F.
Source: International Journal of Eating Disorders. Jan2024, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p124-131. 8p.
Subjects: Risk-taking behavior, Sex offenders, Internet, Pornography, Human sexuality, Social media, Social networks, Personal grooming, Interviewing, Crime, Crime victims, Sex crimes, Questionnaires, Interpersonal relations, At-risk people, Sex customs, Weight loss, Communication, Health, Information resources, Anorexia nervosa, Eating disorders, Trust, World Wide Web, Psychosocial factors
Abstract: Objective: While studies have focused on pro‐ana communities and pro‐anorexia websites, no research has been conducted on the presence of pro‐anorexia coaches within these communities. This study aimed to gain insight into the modus operandi of pro‐anorexia coaches. Method: First, three fake profiles were used to attempt interaction with pro‐anorexia coaches (n = 31). Second, an online questionnaire on experiences with pro‐anorexia coaches was completed by 79 respondents. Third, a follow‐up in‐depth interview was conducted with 14 of these respondents. Results: The results show that pro‐anorexia coaches' behavior fits a five‐staged model which has similarities to stages of online grooming. They focus on (1) building trust and developing a dependency relationship with the aim of (2) obtaining sexually explicit materials. Subsequently, they (3) increase pressure, (4) utilize blackmail methods with acquired content, and (5) groom respondents to meet in person. Discussion: Pro‐anorexia coaches deliberately abuse vulnerable young people who suffer from eating disorders to receive sexually explicit material or to meet face‐to‐face with a sexual intention. This study shows that the modus operandi of pro‐ana coaches is similar to online grooming. Clinical professionals need to be aware of this practice to detect victims and potential victims in order to support and treat them. Prevention is invaluable to further combat pro‐anorexia coaches and protect potential victims. Public Significance: Individuals with an eating disorder are avid internet users. A minority frequent pro‐anorexia websites and fora seeking help in losing weight. This study showed that pro‐anorexia coaches prey on these individuals, often to obtain sexually explicit content. The modus operandi of pro‐anorexia coaches shows similarities to online grooming. Awareness of this phenomenon and the way in which pro‐anorexia coaches operate is valuable for clinicians, parents, and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Pro‐anorexia coaches prey on individuals with eating disorders.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Simons%2C+E%2E+I%2E%22">Simons, E. I.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Noteboom%2C+F%2E%22">Noteboom, F.</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22van+Furth%2C+E%2E+F%2E%22">van Furth, E. F.</searchLink>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Eating+Disorders%22">International Journal of Eating Disorders</searchLink>. Jan2024, Vol. 57 Issue 1, p124-131. 8p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Risk-taking+behavior%22">Risk-taking behavior</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+offenders%22">Sex offenders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Internet%22">Internet</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Pornography%22">Pornography</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Human+sexuality%22">Human sexuality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+media%22">Social media</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Social+networks%22">Social networks</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Personal+grooming%22">Personal grooming</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interviewing%22">Interviewing</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Crime%22">Crime</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Crime+victims%22">Crime victims</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+crimes%22">Sex crimes</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Questionnaires%22">Questionnaires</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Interpersonal+relations%22">Interpersonal relations</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22At-risk+people%22">At-risk people</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Sex+customs%22">Sex customs</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Weight+loss%22">Weight loss</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Communication%22">Communication</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Health%22">Health</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Information+resources%22">Information resources</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Anorexia+nervosa%22">Anorexia nervosa</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Eating+disorders%22">Eating disorders</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Trust%22">Trust</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22World+Wide+Web%22">World Wide Web</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychosocial+factors%22">Psychosocial factors</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Objective: While studies have focused on pro‐ana communities and pro‐anorexia websites, no research has been conducted on the presence of pro‐anorexia coaches within these communities. This study aimed to gain insight into the modus operandi of pro‐anorexia coaches. Method: First, three fake profiles were used to attempt interaction with pro‐anorexia coaches (n = 31). Second, an online questionnaire on experiences with pro‐anorexia coaches was completed by 79 respondents. Third, a follow‐up in‐depth interview was conducted with 14 of these respondents. Results: The results show that pro‐anorexia coaches' behavior fits a five‐staged model which has similarities to stages of online grooming. They focus on (1) building trust and developing a dependency relationship with the aim of (2) obtaining sexually explicit materials. Subsequently, they (3) increase pressure, (4) utilize blackmail methods with acquired content, and (5) groom respondents to meet in person. Discussion: Pro‐anorexia coaches deliberately abuse vulnerable young people who suffer from eating disorders to receive sexually explicit material or to meet face‐to‐face with a sexual intention. This study shows that the modus operandi of pro‐ana coaches is similar to online grooming. Clinical professionals need to be aware of this practice to detect victims and potential victims in order to support and treat them. Prevention is invaluable to further combat pro‐anorexia coaches and protect potential victims. Public Significance: Individuals with an eating disorder are avid internet users. A minority frequent pro‐anorexia websites and fora seeking help in losing weight. This study showed that pro‐anorexia coaches prey on these individuals, often to obtain sexually explicit content. The modus operandi of pro‐anorexia coaches shows similarities to online grooming. Awareness of this phenomenon and the way in which pro‐anorexia coaches operate is valuable for clinicians, parents, and teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Eating Disorders is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=pbh&AN=174880698
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Identifiers:
      – Type: doi
        Value: 10.1002/eat.24074
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 8
        StartPage: 124
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Risk-taking behavior
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex offenders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Internet
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Pornography
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Human sexuality
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social media
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Social networks
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Personal grooming
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interviewing
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Crime
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Crime victims
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex crimes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Questionnaires
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Interpersonal relations
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: At-risk people
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Sex customs
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Weight loss
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Communication
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Health
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Information resources
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Anorexia nervosa
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Eating disorders
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Trust
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: World Wide Web
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychosocial factors
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Pro‐anorexia coaches prey on individuals with eating disorders.
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            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Text: Jan2024
              Type: published
              Y: 2024
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