2023-08-28 03:27:20
Orthorexia, also called orthorexia nervosa, consists of an eating pattern that is altered, which is why it is usually classified within the category of eating disorders, although it is also usually included in obsessive-compulsive disorders because It is characterized by the obsession with eating healthy foods that lead to a strict diet.
We might say that orthorexia consists of the pathological obsession with exclusively eating foods that are considered healthy, and may become the greatest concern in the lives of these people.
In this article we will explain orthorexia in more detail, seeing where it comes from and what would be the most characteristic symptoms of this mental health pathology.
What is orthorexia?
The origin of the word orthorexia comes from the Greek ortho, which means “fair, straight”; orexia, which means “appetite” or “insatiable desire”, so it would literally mean “appetite for the right thing”, although at a colloquial level we might say that orthorexia would be that obsession that some people have for healthy food, reaching levels that might be more harmful than beneficial.
On the other hand, this term was coined by the American doctor Steve Bratmanwho described this alteration of eating behavior patterns in his book Health Food Junkiespublished in the year 2000.
Despite the fact that orthorexia is not included in the main diagnostic manuals of mental disorders, such as the ICD of the World Health Organization or the DSM of the American Psychiatric Association, it is a diagnostic entity widely recognized and addressed by mental health professionals due to the increase in its incidence in recent decades.
It should be noted that orthorexia, fundamentally characterized by the obsessive concern for eating a strictly healthy diet, can cause many difficulties in the day-to-day life of these people because it is quite common for them to refuse to attend social or family events because they they don’t want to eat foods that are not on their healthy food list.
In some cases, they can suppress a wide variety of foods, which leads to deficiencies of different nutrients and essential vitamins such as iron, vitamin B12 or zinc, among others (Muñoz and Martínez, 2007).
symptoms of orthorexia
Steve Bratman proposes the following diagnostic criteria for orthorexia nervosa (Bratman, 2000):
Worrying excessively regarding the quality of the food that is eaten, even above enjoying the taste of food and the social events that revolve around the act of eating. Getting to need 3 hours or more a day to prepare and plan the healthy foods you are going to eat. The search for the “perfect diet” worsens their quality of life. Having feelings of guilt when you eat a food that you do not consider healthy. Dedicate some time daily to plan what you are going to eat the next day. Getting to isolate socially because you can’t eat outside the home so as not to skip the diet.
As we have been able to observe, orthorexia nervosa can cause considerable discomfort and negatively affect the quality of life of those who suffer from this type of obsessions, fundamentally differentiating itself from other eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia in that these revolve around the quantity of food, while orthorexia is more related to quality.
Additionally, people with orthorexia are not always looking to lose weight when they engage in this eating pattern. In any case, because it causes many problems that affect the quality of life, it is important that in this type of case the help of a mental health professional is sought.
We check the content and veracity of the knowledge presented in this article through our editorial and fact-checking process to ensure it is accurate and reliable.
Aranceta, J. (2007). Orthorexia or the obsession with a healthy diet. Latin American Nutrition Archives, 57(4), 313-315. Retrieved on August 25, 2023, from http://ve.scielo.org/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-06222007000400002&lng=es&tlng=es.
Studillo, RB (2021). Orthorexia nervosa: A lifestyle or the emergence of a new eating disorder? Chilean Nutrition Journal, 48(2), 255-265. https://dx.doi.org/10.4067/S0717-75182021000200255
Bonet, R. (2016). Orthorexia. Professional Pharmacy, 30(1), 13-15.
Bratman, S. (2000). Healt Food Junkies. Broadway Books.
Garcia, A.Ramírez, I., Ceballos, G. & MIt isndez, E. (2014). ¿Whatis know Ud. About… Orthorexia?. Mexican Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 45(2), 84-87. https://www.redalyc.org/pdf/579/57932294010.pdf
Martinez, MA et al. (2015). All regarding Eating Disorders: A multidisciplinary view from experience and scientific evidence. Altar Publications
morandIt isG., Graell, M. and Blanco, M. A. (2014). Eating Disorders and Obesity: A Comprehensive Approach. Panamerican Medical Editorial.
Muñoz, R. and Martínez, A. (2007). Orthorexia and vigorexia: new eating disorders? Eating Disorders, 5, 457-482.
Graduated in Psychology from the Pontifical University of Salamanca (UPSA). He has specialized training in various areas of mental health, including the Master’s Degree in Updating in Psychological Intervention and Mental Health (UDIMA), and various courses such as the University Expert in Eating Disorders (UEMC), Expert in Mindfulness for health professionals (UDIMA) or Expert in ICD-11 and DSM-5, among others. He is currently studying the Master in General Health Psychology (UAX).
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