What do you know about orthorexia?

Orthorexia, or orthorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder that involves an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating. Unlike other eating disorders, orthorexia mostly revolves around food quality, not quantity. Unlike with anorexia or bulimia, people with orthorexia are rarely focused on losing weight (1).

How does orthorexia look like?

Orthorexia nervosa is a disordered eating pattern that is characterized by the need to eat “clean” and “pure” foods to the point that the individual becomes obsessed with this way of life. Orthorexia nervosa is commonly associated with: Perfectionism. Social isolation.

What is orthorexia and how prevalent is it?

How Prevalent is Orthorexia Nervosa? Very few studies have been conducted to determine the worldwide presence of ON. Studies that have examined prevalence are inconclusive. In the general population, 57.5\% were diagnosed with ON using a self-administered questionnaire called the ORTO-15.

Why do people become Orthorexic?

Many individuals are pressured to conform to a certain image portrayed in society, which leads to leading causes of orthorexia nervosa; strict dieting, and obsessions about healthy food which can further lead to feelings of anxiety, isolation and depression.

Can orthorexia be cured?

There is no official treatment designed specifically for someone suffering from orthorexia but according to the National Eating Disorders Association, mental health care professionals often treat the condition similarly to anorexia or obsessive-compulsive disorder .

Who does orthorexia affect?

Orthorexia statistics In addition, it is believed that this disorder occurs equally in men and women, though it is most common in those who are middle-class and around 30 years of age.

Which behaviors may be considered Diabulimia?

Signs and symptoms that are unique to diabulimia may include:

• restrictive insulin use.
• a lack of concern toward insulin regularity.
• excessive fears of low blood sugar.
• false beliefs that insulin causes obesity.
• secrecy surrounding diabetes management.

How can orthorexia be prevented?

Rigidly avoiding any food you deem to be “unhealthy,” such as those containing fat, preservatives, additives or animal products. Spending three or more hours per day reading about, acquiring, or preparing certain kinds of food you believe to be “pure.” Feeling guilty if you eat foods, you believe to be “impure.”

What percentage of the population has orthorexia?

The June 2011 study estimated that between 21\% and 57.6\% of the general population have eating behaviors that are characteristic of orthorexia. A study published in March 2017 indicated that less than 1\% of U.S. college students struggle with orthorexia to the degree that it causes them impairment or medical problems.

Who gets orthorexia?

Anyone can get an eating disorder. Though the causes and risk factors vary from person to person, they fall into three main groups: Biological: Having a close relative with an eating disorder, a history of dieting, or type I diabetes. Psychological: Perfectionism, dissatisfaction with your body, or a history of anxiety.

Who is susceptible to orthorexia?

Those most susceptible to orthorexia are individuals who read about food scares in the media, research these issues online, and have the time and money to source what they believe to be purer alternatives. There is a fine line between taking care of yourself by maintaining a healthy diet and orthorexia.