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Experiencias digitales de la anorexia: una netnografía de historias de vida en vlogs y podcast de YouTube

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SciELO Preprints
DOI
10.1590/scielopreprints.14139

Objective: To identify the main topics shared by women with anorexia through life stories published on YouTube. The aim was to understand how they narrate their experiences and the meanings they assign to the illness. Methodology: This study used a qualitative approach with a netnographic methodology. Five videos were analyzed, totaling 1 hour and 44 minutes of recording time. These videos were created by women aged 18 to 30 who share a diagnosis of anorexia. The materials were selected using the search term “vivencia con anorexia.” A discourse and narrative content analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes, expressed emotions, and the meanings participants attributed to their experiences. Results: Five main categories were identified: Body Perception, Environmental Influences, Manifestations of Distress, Control Strategies, and Personal Reconstruction. Body Perception emerged as a central axis, as all participants perceived themselves as “fat” even with low body weight, reflecting a distorted self-image and constant comparison to beauty ideals promoted on social media. In Environmental Influences, family and social comments reinforced feelings of guilt and insecurity, while social media played an ambivalent role—as both a source of aesthetic pressure and a space for support and understanding. Manifestations of Distress revealed physical symptoms such as fatigue and dizziness, accompanied by emotions like anxiety, sadness, and fear, narrated with a neutral tone, showing a normalization of suffering. In Control Strategies, behaviors such as fasting, strict diets, and excessive exercise appeared as attempts to regain control but ultimately reinforced the disorder. In Personal Reconstruction, participants emphasized that sharing their experiences, seeking help, and receiving emotional support were key steps in their recovery process. Conclusion: Anorexia cannot be understood merely as an eating disorder, but as a complex experience shaped by social, cultural, and emotional factors. Listening to the voices of those who live with it enables a more empathetic understanding and supports the development of prevention strategies that are more humane and sensitive.

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