Thinspiration (shortened to thinspo) refers to content that specifically promotes the thin body ideal. Thinspiration is related to pro-ana and pro-mia as it may include photos of people who are extremely thin, accompanied by captions and comments that praise unhealthy eating and goals to reach a certain body type.

Thinspiration

The pro-ana and pro-mia communities use numerous hashtags to promote their content. In addition to #proana and #promia, there is also #thinspiration, #thinspo, #bonespo, #collarbones #thighgap, and so on.

Other hashtags relating to pro-ana and pro-mia

Pro-anorexia (shortened to pro-ana) and pro-bulimia (shortened to pro-mia) are terms that refer to content, typically online, that promote anorexia and bulimia. These types of content encourage harmful behaviors such as restricting and purging, and also deny the diagnosis of eating disorders. 

University of California, Berkeley

Media sources and social relationships that uphold the ideal body standard can have a profound impact on disordered eating behaviors, which can then lead to eating disorders.

Social Influence on Eating Disorders

Ging, D., & Garvey, S. (2018). ‘Written in these scars are the stories I can’t explain’: A content analysis of pro-ana and thinspiration image sharing on Instagram. New Media & Society, 20(3), 1181–1200. https://doi.org/10.1177/1461444816687288 

A content analysis of pro-ana and thinspiration image sharing on Instagram

Citations for research on social influences on eating disorders

References for the influence of social pressures on eating disorders

Peer relationships can influence adolescent girls’ perceptions of themselves and their bodies, potentially leading to the development of disordered patterns of eating, or even diagnosable eating disorders. 

Influence of Peer Relations on Adolescent Girls

Exposure to media can play a crucial role in the development of eating disorders in children and adolescents. Media can impact the perception of one’s weight, shape, size, and body image, which can lead to disordered eating behaviors and even eating disorders.

Media Influence on Eating Disorders in Young People

Pro-Ana and Pro-Mia

Athletes may be at a higher risk of developing eating disorders due to the relationship between athletic performance and nutrition/exercise. The culture around food intake and training in sports can cause disordered thoughts and behaviors around food, weight, and shape.

Eating Disorders in Athletes

* Definition
* Terms
* Emergence
* Risks
* Similarities with and differences from diet culture

Pro-Eating Disorder Content

Reference for Maltreated Ecophenotype

Maltreated ecophenotype is the genetic predisposition to develop eating disorders that are significantly induced by experiencing childhood maltreatment.

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