Have you ever heard of the term? Orthorexia? When people are so obsessed with eating “pure” or “perfect” foods that it harms their health.
Dr. Steven Bratman first spoke about this problem in 1997. It’s different from other eating problems because it’s not about how much you eat, but about worrying too much about the quality of the food.
Orthorexia is a mental prison.
What is orthorexia?
Orthorexia begins with good intentions – trying to eat healthily. But it becomes a strict and unhealthy obsession with only eating organic, unprocessed and “clean” foods.
While it’s great to know what’s in food, orthorexia takes this to an extreme level. This can lead to not getting enough nutrients, feeling isolated and having mental health problems.
This is the opposite of the purpose of a healthy diet.
Real stories shed light on the problem
Our report contains real-world examples that illustrate the effects of orthorexia.
One case involves a 28-year-old woman whose strict vegetarian diet, initially adopted for health reasons, led to severe malnutrition and isolation.
These stories reflect the experiences of some of our readers and highlight the fine line between healthy eating and harmful obsession.
How common is orthorexia?
Studies in the literature review report varying prevalence rates, ranging from as low as 6% in some groups to a staggering 88.7% in certain professionals such as nutritionists.
These numbers make it clear that orthorexia is a growing problem, especially for those who care deeply about health.
Orthorexia is more common than previously thought, highlighting the need for greater awareness and understanding of this condition.
The fine line between healthy and compulsive
As the literature shows, it can easily happen that one goes from health consciousness to orthorexia.
A well-known case is that of blogger Jordan Younger, whose experience with orthorexia shows how influences such as social media can contribute to this unhealthy obsession.
Recognize and help orthorexia
If someone is very strict about their diet, gets upset when they can’t eat certain foods, and worries too much about food, they may be struggling with orthorexia.
The literature review helps identify signs of orthorexia, such as: E.g. extreme diet rigidity, stress when choosing food and a feeling of nutritional superiority. Professional advice from nutritionists and therapists, including approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy, is essential in treating orthorexia.
It is important to seek help from nutritionists and therapists. You can work to understand why someone feels the way they do about food and how to make it better.
Conclusion: Balance is key
The most important thing is balance. Health isn’t just about what you eat; It’s also about being happy and not letting food dictate you.
Orthorexia is a reminder that while the pursuit of health is good, it should not come at the expense of overall happiness and quality of life.
Orthorexia shows us that too much of a good thing can be bad. We need more research to understand it better and help people find a happy medium when it comes to eating.