Anorexia Blogs Shut Down

Four websites hosted by Microsoft's Spanish division have been shut down for allegedly promoting anorexia and bulimia. The sites were closed following complaints by a Catalan provincial government internet watchdog, Iqua. It's the first time that a host has voluntarily closed websites accused of promoting eating disorders following complaints by the authorities, reports Agence France Presse.

Websites and blogs with tips on excessive weight loss have been growing at an alarming rate in cyberspace. In January, Spanish authorities banned an internet site dubbed "The Porcelain Princesses," which planned to run a starvation contest for young women suffering from anorexia. Last year, Spain faced objections from models when it attempted to ban overly thin girls from appearing in Madrid fashion shows. (More Microsoft stories.)