title: A comparative analysis of anorexia nervosa groups on Facebook.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze the content and culture of anorexia nervosa (AN)-related communication on the current major social network site (SNS) Facebook.
  
  
  METHODS
  We searched for groups and sites related to AN on Facebook by means of a faux profile of a young female. Identified groups/sites were analyzed with respect to (1) category (education, self-help, professional help, pro-ana, anti pro-ana), (2) activity, (3) motivational aspects (prose, pictures), and (4) social support.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Numerous relevant groups were found in all categories except that professional help was almost nonexistent. Pro-ana groups were found to be the most active, best organized, and offered the highest levels of social support. Prose motivation was distinctly offered in all categories. Motivation with pictures was particularly evident in pro-ana groups. The most functional motivation was found in self-help groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SNS appears to be a relevant way for young females suffering from AN to communicate and exchange disease and health-related ideas. Caregivers, researchers, and institutions in the field of eating disorders should be aware of the existence, possibilities, dysfunctions, and influence of SNS. Whether SNS can help persons with AN to get therapeutic assistance as well as whether it can be integrated into psychotherapeutic strategies should be examined in future studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy, University Hospital Tübingen, Osianderstrasse 5, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teufel
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: Florian
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Junne
authors.forename: Helene
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sauer
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zipfel
authors.forename: Katrin Elisabeth
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: Giel
mesh_terms: D000856:Anorexia Nervosa / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D009042:Motivation; D012649:Self Concept; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012933:Social Identification; D060756:Social Networking; D012944:Social Support