Orthorexia: Obsession with Eating Healthy

Comments
Orthorexia: Obsession with Eating Healthy
image from freepik.com
Table of contents
Show Hide
  • Orthorexia was first defined in 1997 and, loosely translated, refers to a pathological obsession with eating what the individual considers healthy.
  • The prevalence of orthorexia is difficult to determine, with dramatic differences depending on the population studied. Prevalence rates in studies range from 0.1% to 90.6%.
  • The desire for perfectly 'clean' eating in patients usually leads to disruptions in social life and negatively impacts both physical and mental health.

What is orthorexia?

Orthorexia can be defined in various ways but is primarily an obsession with 'healthy' eating. Individuals, following specific patterns, progressively exclude more and more types of food from their diet because they consider them unsuitable or dangerous. Unlike anorexia nervosa or bulimia the goal of those suffering from orthorexia is not usually weight loss but rather the selection of 100% quality and "clean" foods, strict adherence to dietary habits, and achieving a perfectly healthy 

Groups at risk include:

  • People working in nutrition or medicine
  • Individuals following alternative diets
  • Those dissatisfied with their own bodies
  • People prone to addictions (e.g., alcohol, drugs, excessive physical activity)

How is orthorexia diagnosed, and what are the typical signs?

There is currently no standardised procedure for diagnosing orthorexia, so health professionals can use a variety of tools, from specific questionnaires (Bratman questionnaire, ORTO‑15, EHQ, etc.) to body composition measurements or blood samples. In 2014, Moroze and colleagues proposed four groups of criteria for identifying orthorexia, covering the following areas (full text here):

A) Obsession with "healthy" food, primarily focusing on the composition and quality of the food

B) The negative impact of this obsession on social, physical or psychological well‑being

C) This behaviour cannot be explained by the worsening of symptoms of other pre‑existing diseases

D) The behaviour is not due to the elimination of foods because of a food allergy or other illness requiring a change in eating habits

In practice, manifestations of orthorexia may include:

  1. Fear of "unhealthy" foods
  2. Strict elimination of foods because of their perceived unsuitability/dangerousness (e.g., pesticide residues, food additives, refined sugar, wheat flour, etc.)
  3. Extreme stress at loss of control over food and remorse after 'breaking' dietary protocol
  4. Obsessive monitoring of food packaging, composition and origin
  5. Prioritisation of planning and preparing meals according to own and usually very strict rules
  6. Trying to avoid eating in the company of others
Orthorexia: Obsession with Eating Healthy
image from gettyimages.com

What are the consequences of orthorexia?

1. Interference with physical health

In orthorexia, the ever‑shrinking range of "allowed" foods often leads to deficiencies of particular macro and micronutrients, are very common. Common deficiencies include good quality protein, omega‑3 fatty acids, vitamin D, magnesium, iron, zinc, selenium, fibre and many others. This may (or may not) result in low energy availability, malnutrition or sudden weight loss.

These deficiencies may manifest themselves as excessive fatigue, cramps, increased susceptibility to disease, reduced hair and nail quality, or abnormalities in blood tests, for example.

2. Impairment of mental health

Obsessive adherence to "clean" foods and strict eating habits is difficult to maintain alongside everyday life. As a result, people with orthorexia can often feel anxious, frustrated and guilty. The desire to eat perfectly healthy food consumes their time, leading to constant planning and preparation of home‑cooked meals, as food from other sources does not meet their strict criteria. This can reduce their ability to manage daily activities, lower productivity, and lead to avoidance of social interactions.

3. Disruption to social life

Dining with friends or colleagues is a nightmare for someone with orthorexia. Eating "out" would mean losing control over their diet, and sharing their rigid food rules with others is often uncomfortable. In short, the need for a 'clean' diet takes precedence over social relationships, which often results in the isolation that is common among people with orthorexia.

Early diagnosis and professional care are essential in the treatment of orthorexia

First and foremost, it is important to remember that orthorexia can be as serious as any other eating disorder and, if left untreated, can cause irreversible damage.

In particular, early detection of the problem is an important factor - but paradoxically, this is the main stumbling block. This is because the sick person is often unaware of the negative consequences of his or her behaviour and the initial impulse that something is wrong comes from those close to them.

In the treatment process, it is then advisable to work with a doctor as well as a nutritional therapist and a psychologist. The basic element of orthorexia therapy is cognitive‑behavioural therapy, in which the patient must first become truly aware of the problem itself and then actively learn how to deal with it.

Bottom line

Orthorexia is characterised by an obsessive adherence to a "healthy" diet, where the goal is typically not weight loss, but a perfectly clean and balanced diet aimed at achieving perfect health. Along with anorexia and bulimia, it falls under the category of eating disorders and, if left untreated, can irreversibly damage the health of the sufferer.

Orthorexia negatively affects a person physically, mentally, and emotionally, and the sufferer is usually unaware of its presence and danger. However, those around them may notice warning signs, such as the gradual elimination of more and more foods, reluctance to consume food not prepared at home, excessive scrutiny of food composition, origin, or nutritional value, and, not least, increasing social isolation.

In treating orthorexia, a comprehensive approach involving a physician, nutritional therapist, and psychologist is recommended. Generally, the earlier the disorder is identified, the lower the risk of irreversible harm to the patient's health.

How to Eat More Healthy?
How to Eat More Healthy?
You've probably come across the term "healthy eating" before — but what does it mean, and how can you best put it into practice? This article will help you.
How to Calculate and Set Your Calorie Deficit?
How to Calculate and Set Your Calorie Deficit?
A calorie deficit is the basis of successful weight loss. But what do we mean by this concept, and how do we put this knowledge into practice?
Why Am I Always Bloated? 7 Common Causes
Why Am I Always Bloated? 7 Common Causes
Almost everyone has encountered a bloated belly, and everyone agrees that it can make the day really unpleasant. However, if digestive problems are recurrent or even permanent, you need to take action. In today's article, we will present you 7 possible causes of a bloated belly along with their solutions!
The 10 Best Complex Carbs Sources
The 10 Best Complex Carbs Sources
You don't need to avoid carbohydrates, just make good choices. Which sources of complex carbohydrates are worth reaching for?
The 8 Best Probiotic Foods
The 8 Best Probiotic Foods
Not only dietary supplements contain high amounts of probiotic cultures. Which foods are among the richest natural probiotics?
Tribulus Terrestris: What It Is, Effects and Dosage
Tribulus Terrestris: What It Is, Effects and Dosage
Tribulus terrestris is a popular plant extract that men like to use to increase testosterone levels and libido. But is this really the case, or is it just a placebo effect?
Should You Mix Whey Protein Powder with Milk or Water?
Should You Mix Whey Protein Powder with Milk or Water?
Whey protein is the most widely used dietary supplement in the fitness world, which is associated with many issues. One of them is the method of its preparation - is it better to mix the protein with water or milk?
Which Nuts are the Healthiest?
Which Nuts are the Healthiest?
When choosing nuts, we often ask which type is actually the healthiest. Is it even possible to say? What makes each type of nut nutritionally superior and which is the most nutritionally valuable?
Biohacking Ideas for Beginners
Biohacking Ideas for Beginners
The term "biohacking" may sound a bit alien, artificial and strange. It is a set of changes in our lifestyle that can improve and enhance our potential. Try these 10 activities that can help you on your journey to your best self.
What's The Difference Between Soluble and Insoluble Fibre?
What's The Difference Between Soluble and Insoluble Fibre?
Fibre is divided into soluble and insoluble, and together both types of fibre form an important part of your diet. What are the differences between soluble and insoluble fibre?
Psyllium Husk: What It Is, Benefits and Weight Loss
Psyllium Husk: What It Is, Benefits and Weight Loss
Psyllium contains soluble fibre, which is essential for proper digestion and nourishment of the intestinal microflora. What makes psyllium different from other fibres and how to take it for maximum benefits?
Bodyweight Exercises: Benefits and Tips for Beginners
Bodyweight Exercises: Benefits and Tips for Beginners
Bodyweight exercises can be effective, healthy and cheap. But is it possible to build muscle from them, and which exercises are best?
How and When Should You Use Protein for Weight Loss or Muscle Gain?
How and When Should You Use Protein for Weight Loss or Muscle Gain?
Protein can ease our way to losing weight as well as gaining muscle. However, it's not an all‑powerful wizard and must be handled with skill. Learn how to use protein relative to your goals and master the protein magic.
Maca: What It Is, Effects and Dosage
Maca: What It Is, Effects and Dosage
Maca peruviana is one of the popular extracts traditionally used to support vitality and brain function. How to choose the right kind and what is the dosage?
Coffee vs. Matcha: How do They Differ and Which One is Healthier?
Coffee vs. Matcha: How do They Differ and Which One is Healthier?
How does Japanese Matcha green tea differ from other green teas and can its effects be compared to coffee?