Amazona: A Tailor-made Platform for Women Coping with Eating Disorders

Mentor: Dr. Michael Sessler

Eating disorders (EDs) are an ever-growing global concern, with high mortality rates amongst mental illnesses and a considerable risk of progression to life-threatening conditions. Although Eds are prevalent across various genders, ages, and sociocultural groups, this study focuses on the primary at-risk population – young middle-class Western women – to design a more tailored and accessible response. 

This research adopts a qualitative methodology grounded in design thinking, employing reflective-iterative approaches. The study included in-depth interviews with women aged 24–30 who experienced EDs and professionals in the EDs field, immersion in digital communities, a review of academic and non-academic literature, and user testing of low-fidelity prototypes. Direct contact with individuals actively suffering from EDs was limited due to ethical concerns about triggering or worsening their condition. 

The findings identified three core principles: the need for empathetic, individualized support; the importance of immediate access to diverse tools; and an anonymous interface that reduces stigma and lowers barriers to help-seeking. These principles informed the development of a digital platform offering intuitive, human-centered guidance based on existing clinical and non-clinical tools. The platform aims to strengthen users, foster trust in therapeutic processes, and encourage early intervention.