ORTHOREXIA - a new type of eating disorder?
The term ‘orthorexia’ was coined in 1998 and means an obsession with proper or ‘healthful’ eating. Although being aware of and concerned with the nutritional quality of the food you eat isn’t a problem in and of itself, people with orthorexia become so fixated on so-called ‘healthy eating’ that they actually damage their own well-being.
Express your opinion on:
1. How would you explain orthorexia as a condition to differentiate it from mindful eating for example?
2. Do you think it is possible for a person to start eating healthy food to improve health and then slip into orthorexia?
Read the 2 articles below and comment
on one aspect:
8 Warning Signs of Orthorexia
https://www.waldeneatingdisorders.com/blog/8-warning-signs-of-orthorexia/
Taking clean eating too far can be a sign of an eating disorder
https://www.verywellfamily.com/is-my-child-taking-clean-eating-too-far-5209009
1. Orthorexia often occurs when a person does not feel well without strict rules regarding food. She avoids foods she thinks are bad out of a sense of insecurity. It is also possible that someone suffering from orthorexia is overeating nutrients
ReplyDelete2. Yes, this can be achieved, orthorexia occurs somewhat more often among dietitians and medical personnel. There is a very fine line that separates healthy, normal eating from orthorexia, the latter being represented by the fact that "healthy eating" causes significant disturbances, with negative consequences on the quality of life of the person concerned.
On the one hand, the joy that should accompany any meal is lost, on the other hand, the symptoms of malnutrition, concentration disorders, and general performance reduction may appear. The extreme fixation on healthy food can also have social consequences, as most of the time, those affected are no longer able to share meals with others and insist on always bringing their own food. Another characteristic of those affected by orthorexia is their attempt to convince those around them to opt for a healthier lifestyle.
Orthorexia is an eating disorder where people are obsessed by “health eating” in a manner that can damage their own mental and sometimes even physical health. They have the constant urge to detox and to seek perfection in how they eat, even trying to convince others to follow their believes around food.
ReplyDeleteOrthorexia is a preoccupation for “clean eating.” In a study it was foud that people who are obsessed with eating healthy foods tend to have greater (BMIs) and waist circumferences than people who aren’t as obsessed.
DeleteDue to stressors that can impede fat loss, especially if they’re bundled with other problems such as insomnia, nutrient deficiencies, or food intolerances.
Taking too far the clean eating and becoming an obsession, can lead to eating disorders.
ReplyDelete1.Orthorexia is an unhealthy obsession with eating only "pure" or "healthy" foods. It involves an extreme fixation on food quality and strict dietary rules, often leading to anxiety and social isolation. In contrast, mindful eating promotes a balanced and non-judgmental awareness of food choices, emphasizing the enjoyment of meals and listening to your body's hunger cues without rigid dietary restrictions. Orthorexia can become a harmful eating disorder, whereas mindful eating fosters a healthier relationship with food.
ReplyDelete2.Yes, it's possible for someone to start with good intentions by adopting a healthy diet to improve their health but gradually develop orthorexic tendencies. Over time, a strict focus on healthy eating can become an obsession, leading to excessive restrictions and anxiety around food choices. It's important to maintain a balanced approach to nutrition and seek support from healthcare professionals if concerns about orthorexia arise.
In my opinion, taking "clean eating" to an extreme can indeed be a sign of an eating disorder, often manifesting as orthorexia. While prioritizing healthy food is a positive choice, when it leads to obsessive, restrictive, and anxiety-inducing behaviors, it can negatively impact one's physical and mental health. Striking a balance and seeking professional help when necessary is crucial to maintain a healthy relationship with food and well-being.
Bándi Noémi
1. In recent years, especially during COVID-19, the popularization of a healthy, perfect lifestyle (diet and exercise) has become very frequent in the media. Prettier and prettier silhouettes are appearing on the platforms, showing how balanced they are, and their 'all-free' foods - in the same time suggesting that this is the only way to go. I think this is cause of the number of patients affected by orthorexia.
ReplyDelete2. It is possible, I think, that some people are into conscious eating just for their well-being, but at a point it makes obsessed them. And of course, there will still be pressure from the media that this is the ONLY good thing that they can - unfortunately.
1.Healthy eating can lead to major improvements in health and well-being.
ReplyDeleteHowever, for some people, a focus on healthy eating can become obsessive and develop into an eating disorder known as orthorexia, or orthorexia nervosa. People with orthorexia become so fixated on healthy eating that it negatively affects their well-being.
2. Yes, although you may begin a diet simply intending to improve your health, this focus can become more extreme. Over time, good intentions and an interest in supporting your health via food choices can develop into orthorexia.
1. Orthorexia nervosa is perhaps best summarized as an obsession with healthy eating with associated restrictive behaviors. However, the attempt to attain optimum health through attention to diet may lead to malnourishment, loss of relationships, and poor quality of life.
ReplyDelete2. Yes, because for some people, a focus on healthy eating can become obsessive and develop into orthorexia.
1.Orthorexia is the excessive preoccupation with avoiding foods considered unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteOrthorexia often occurs when a person does not feel well without strict rules regarding food. She avoids foods she thinks are bad out of a sense of insecurity.
2. I think it is very easy for a person to go from healthy eating to improve health to obsessive healthy eating, with very strict limits, without breaks, reaching orthorexia, due to the habit formed and obsessive thinking.
1. Orthorexia is a condition characterized by an unhealthy obsession with eating only foods that are perceived as healthy. Individuals with orthorexia may become fixated on the purity and quality of their food, to the point where it negatively impacts their physical health, social life, and overall well-being. They may rigidly adhere to strict dietary rules and experience extreme anxiety or guilt when deviating from their diet.
ReplyDeleteOn the other hand, mindful eating is a practice focused on cultivating awareness and attention to the present moment while eating, without judgment. It involves paying attention to hunger and fullness cues, savoring the flavors and textures of food, and being mindful of the body's response to eating. Mindful eating promotes a balanced and intuitive approach to food, without rigid rules or restrictions.While both orthorexia and mindful eating involve a degree of attention to food choices, the key difference lies in the motivation and mindset behind the behavior. Orthorexia is driven by an unhealthy fixation on food quality and purity, often leading to restrictive eating patterns and negative psychological effects. In contrast, mindful eating emphasizes a non-judgmental and balanced approach to food, promoting overall well-being and enjoyment of eating experiences.
2. Yes, it's possible for someone to start with good intentions, wanting to improve their health by eating healthier foods, but then gradually develop orthorexia. Initially, they may adopt a healthier diet as a positive lifestyle change. However, if their focus on healthy eating becomes obsessive and they begin to fixate on purity and quality of food, it can evolve into orthorexia. This transition might happen gradually, as they become increasingly strict with their dietary choices and experience anxiety or guilt when unable to adhere to their self-imposed rules. Without proper awareness and intervention, what starts as a pursuit of health can transform into a harmful fixation on food that negatively impacts their physical and mental well-being.
Orthorexia is an unhealthy focus on eating in a healthy way. Eating nutritious food is good, but if you have orthorexia, you obsess about it to a degree that can damage your overall well-being.
ReplyDeleteFirst steps toward recovery
Make a list of the ways your obsession with food has harmed others. Have you lost friends because you've shamed them for the way they eat? ...
Make a list of the ways your obsession with food has harmed yourself. Be honest with yourself.
Moica Antonia ND1
1. Orthorexia is an eating disorder characterized by an obsessive focus on eating foods that one considers healthy. It goes beyond mindful eating by transforming healthy eating into an unhealthy obsession. Here are key differences to distinguish orthorexia from mindful eating:
ReplyDelete1. **Rigidity vs. Flexibility**:
- **Orthorexia**: Individuals have rigid rules about what they can eat, often eliminating entire food groups and becoming distressed if they deviate from their self-imposed guidelines.
- **Mindful Eating**: This approach is flexible, allowing for a balanced and varied diet. It involves making conscious food choices without strict restrictions.
2. **Mental and Emotional Impact**:
- **Orthorexia**: The obsession with healthy eating can lead to anxiety, stress, and social isolation, as sufferers may avoid social events involving food and feel guilty or ashamed if they don't adhere to their dietary rules.
- **Mindful Eating**: It promotes a positive relationship with food, reducing stress and improving overall well-being. It encourages enjoying food and being present during meals without guilt.
3. **Purpose and Intent**:
- **Orthorexia**: The intent is often to achieve a perceived state of health or purity, sometimes to the detriment of overall health, as the restrictive diet can lead to nutritional deficiencies.
- **Mindful Eating**: The goal is to listen to the body’s hunger and fullness cues, enjoying a variety of foods in moderation and recognizing the emotional and physical experiences of eating.
4. **Health Outcomes**:
- **Orthorexia**: Can lead to malnutrition, weight loss, and other health issues due to overly restrictive eating patterns.
- **Mindful Eating**: Aims to support physical health and emotional well-being by fostering a balanced and varied diet without undue stress.
In summary, while mindful eating is about enjoying food in a balanced and aware manner, orthorexia involves an unhealthy obsession with eating only what one perceives as healthy, often leading to negative physical and emotional consequences.
2. Yes, it is possible for a person to start eating healthy food with the intention of improving their health and then slip into orthorexia. This transition can occur gradually as the initial focus on health becomes increasingly obsessive and rigid. Here’s how it can happen:
1. **Initial Motivation**: A person starts eating healthy foods with the genuine intention of improving their health, managing a medical condition, or enhancing their well-being.
2. **Increased Focus**: As they see positive results, they may become more focused on their diet, seeking to optimize their health further by refining their food choices and eliminating foods they perceive as unhealthy.
3. **Growing Restriction**: The person begins to impose more and more dietary restrictions, cutting out entire food groups or types of food, believing that this will lead to even better health outcomes.
4. **Obsessive Behavior**: The focus on eating healthy turns into an obsession. They spend excessive amounts of time planning, preparing, and thinking about their meals. They may also become preoccupied with food purity, ingredient lists, and sourcing.
5. **Emotional and Social Impact**: The rigid dietary rules start to impact their social life and emotional well-being. They might avoid social events involving food, feel extreme guilt or anxiety if they deviate from their diet, and judge others' eating habits.
6. **Negative Health Consequences**: Despite the initial health benefits, the excessive restrictions can lead to nutritional deficiencies, physical health problems, and psychological distress.
This progression shows how a well-intentioned effort to eat healthily can escalate into orthorexia, highlighting the importance of maintaining balance and flexibility in dietary practices. It’s crucial to be aware of the signs of orthorexia and seek help if the pursuit of healthy eating becomes an obsession that negatively affects one's overall health and quality of life.
Orthorexia, an obsession with eating only foods perceived as healthy, can lead to nutritional imbalances and significant stress around food choices. While prioritizing a healthy diet is beneficial, orthorexia can result in an overly restrictive diet that excludes essential nutrients, negatively impacting overall health. It's important to maintain a balanced approach to eating, recognizing that a healthy diet includes a variety of foods and allows for flexibility. If you suspect someone may be struggling with orthorexia, encouraging them to seek professional help from a nutritionist or therapist can provide the support they need to develop a healthier relationship with food.
ReplyDelete