Participants

¬Ý

Charlotte, a creative artist is 23 and from the southern coast of the UK. Sent away to boarding school during childhood, ’ÄúLottie’Äù stopped eating at 12 years old to rebel against the strict rules. With a lowest weight of 79lb, she routinely starved herself. Eating 50-100 calories a day and spending up to five hours a day on Pro-Ana websites, Lottie was determined to reach her goal weight of 90 pounds. ’ÄúAna is like a religion,’Äù Lottie explained, ’ÄúIt’Äôs the way I live my life.’Äù Since filming began, Lottie has left the Ana community. She ceremoniously flushed her signature red bead ’Äúana bracelet’Äù down the toilet and says she has logged off of¬Ý Pro-Ana sites for good. ’ÄúI’Äôm not fat, I know I’Äôm not fat, and I eat healthy, I eat properly, I don’Äôt cut myself anymore, I don’Äôt vomit anymore.¬Ý I don’Äôt obsess and cry and hate myself all the time.’Äù

¬Ý

Amy, age 19, a student in the UK, is new to Pro-Ana, but is quickly making up for lost time.¬Ý Having lost 30 lbs in 6 weeks, she refers to Ana as a best friend who relieves her from her depression and helps her to her feel better about herself. Inspired by Mary Kate Olsen and other pop waifs, Amy’Äôs goal weight is 75lbs. ’ÄúI want to see my collar bones. Bones are just so beautiful and pure.’Äù Amy is studying to be a social worker, she works part time in a hotel and lives at home with her mom and brothers.¬Ý