Strangest Thing I Have Ever Seen

I guess, my question is how is this trend any different then the push for the last 20 years with models that represent under 1% of the population of women in weight, and dolls like Barbie that if she were real she would break in half?

It may have a new name.. but its the same negative body imagery we've had around us for years. What was that quote from Kate Moss, "Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels." Unofficially the slogan for pro-Anorexics. Joy oh joy.

Have you seen the ad for "Fat Talk Week"? I loved it

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKPaxD61lwo

http://www.endfattalk.org/

Makes my eyes water :)

I don't, but I googled it and the main website is apparently linked with viruses. . . so that right off the bat was not cool. But I looked on urbandictionary.com and it seemed rather scary
"Abbreviation for "thinsporation," aka pictures of bone-thin women that girls with ana/mia use to remind themselves of their goals to become thin."

Your SIL MUST get her daughter to a doctor IMMEDIATELY - this is a "diet" to be bone-thin - she needs to realize just what it is she is doing INSIDE her body - her heart (Karen Carpenter and many others) and her stomach.

Please get her help before she ends up dead from mal-nutrition!!

It sounds like your SIL may need to study up on eating disorders (anorexia) and possibly speak to an eating and body disorder specialist just in case your niece's thinspiration interest turns out to be something really distructive. Better to be prepared advance so that you can possibly head it off before it becomes something out of control. I have known a couple of girls in high school who were anorexic and it really is a tough disease for parents to deal with once it really takes root.

Be worried, but talk with your niece personally -vs- through her mother? Maybe that will allow her to be more open? This is definately a two-edged blade, one side using anorexia as a dieting option and the other as a motivational tool to stay healthy in our fast-food society.

The whole thing is very scary, and there aren't many teen-friendly healthy-cool-weboptions:( It seems that googling "anti thinspo" gave up more information, and a few youTubes you could share with your niece. We women need to be strong and encouraging at all ages:)

http://themedium.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/04/30/the-girls-o...

Good luck to you both!