Sandhya Raghavan
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Written By: Sandhya Raghavan | Updated : January 27, 2017 5:57 PM IST
The harmful health effects of eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia are well known. But imagine getting sick from eating healthy. Some people develop an obsession with eating clean or eating healthy for a variety of purposes. They are known to suffer from a condition known as orthorexia. The word is derived from Greek which means correct (ortho) appetite (orexia). The term was first used by physician Steven Bratman MD [1] to describe an individual s unhealthy fixation with food that is believed to be biologically pure or healthy [1].
It is surprising to many that healthy eating may have a flipside. It turns out; orthorexics are so restrictive in their diet that they often omit vital food groups (carb, fat), leading to deficiencies and diseases. Apart from this, orthorexia also has a bearing on the psychological health of the individual. Here are some unbelievable facts about orthorexia.
Obsessive thoughts about food: People living with orthorexia will spend more time than the average person obsessing and thinking about the food they eat. [1]
Fixation with natural food: They avoid certain foods because they fear chemicals such as herbicides, pesticides and artificial substances in the food. They also worry in excess about the techniques and materials used in the food preparation. [1]
No weight loss goals: Unlike people suffering from anorexia nervosa and bulimia, those who have orthorexia don t care about losing weight. [4]
Rather starve than eat unhealthy: Fixation with clean or healthy foods will make them avoid regular or processed food. In case they don t have access to wholesome foods, they may even prefer to starve. [2]
Healthcare professionals more likely to be orthorexics: Research points to the prevalence of orthorexia among medicos, yoga practitioners and dieticians. [6], [7], [8]
Men are more likely to be orthorexics: Studies have suggested that more men than women are prone to orthorexia. An obsession with body culture or attention given towards physical appearance to adhere to social stereotypes causes orthorexia in men. [9]
Genetics and control: Certain genetic predisposition towards perfectionism and control makes one more prone to orthorexia. [4]
Personality plays a role: Certain studies also point towards a connection between obsessive-compulsive disorder and orthorexia. Underlying obsessive behaviour can cause the problem. [5]
A need to feel spiritually superior: The motivation of orthorexic people is to achieve a degree of perfection and purity by consuming food that is pure. [4]
Orthorexics recover faster: Since health is their top priority, orthorexics exhibit a greater sense of responsibility towards their well being. Hence they recover faster than anorexics and bulimics. [4]
References: 1 Bratman, S. (2016). What is orthorexia. : www. orthorexia. com/index. php. 2. S nchez, F. G., & Rial, B. R. (2005). Orthorexia nervosa. A new eating behaviour disorder?. Actas Esp Psiquiatr, 33(1), 66-68 3. Donini, L. M., Marsili, D., Graziani, M. P., Imbriale, M., & Cannella, C. (2005). Orthorexia nervosa: validation of a diagnosis questionnaire. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 10(2), e28-e32. 5. Mathieu J. (2005) What is orthorexia? J Am Diet Assoc.; 105(10): 1510 1512 5. Forester, D. S. (2014). Examining the relationship between orthorexia nervosa and personality traits (Doctoral dissertation, California State University, Stanislaus). 6. Bosi, A. T. B., amur, D., & G ler, . (2007). Prevalence of orthorexia nervosa in resident medical doctors in the faculty of medicine (Ankara, Turkey). Appetite, 49(3), 661-666. 7. Kinzl, J. F., Hauer, K., Traweger, C., & Kiefer, I. (2006). Orthorexia nervosa in dieticians. Psychotherapy and psychosomatics, 75(6), 395-396 8. Valera, J. H., Ruiz, P. A., Valdespino, B. R., & Visioli, F. (2014). Prevalence of orthorexia nervosa among ashtanga yoga practitioners: a pilot study. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 19(4), 469-472 9. Donini, L. M., Marsili, D., Graziani, M. P., Imbriale, M., & Cannella, C. (2005). Orthorexia nervosa: validation of a diagnosis questionnaire. Eating and Weight Disorders-Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 10(2), e28-e32
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