StarvingforPerfect.com: a theoretically based content analysis of pro-eating disorder Web sites.
Like traditional media, information on the World Wide Web may encourage both healthy and unhealthy behaviors. This study reports on the content analysis of a particular genre of Web site that promotes unhealthy behaviors: pro-eating disorder Web sites. Framed in message design theory, the results of this study indicate that messages on pro-eating disorder Web sites promote response efficacy in continuing disordered behaviors, but messages promoting severity and susceptibility to weight gain and self-efficacy were not common. Given the importance of combining response and self-efficacy messages for maximal effectiveness of messages, the pro-eating disorder sites may have limited effectiveness in effecting behavioral change among site visitors.
Lapinski
Maria Knight
MK
Department of Communication, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48823, USA. lapinsk3@msu.edu
D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D020377:Self Efficacy; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology