Yvonne Cremean
IscrittiDi
Venn diagram showing unique and overlapping features of orthorexia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD). Many of the features described above echo symptoms of anorexia nervosa and obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), conditions that are themselves highly comorbid and have functionally similar clinical presentations,9 prompting debate as to whether orthorexia is a unique disorder or a subset of anorexia or OCD (Figure 1). The opinions and views of our guest contributors are shared to provide a broad perspective of eating disorders. This is why educating coaches about eating disorders and disordered eating is so important. Sometimes the signs of disordered eating are hard to notice because they are often normalized as "healthy" eating.
The obsession with "clean eating" can also extend to family members or friends, creating tension and strain in relationships when others fail to adhere to the same dietary principles. Early recognition and intervention are vital to mitigate the risk of long-term health complications and promote a balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition and overall well-being. Nevertheless, several researchers and clinicians have proposed diagnostic criteria based on the observed characteristics of individuals with these conditions 1,16,29.
More studies are needed to create a more academically rigorous and universally accepted diagnostic tool given the limitations of existing tools (as summarized in Table 2). When assessed with these newer tools, more consistent and significant relationships between ON and OC symptoms have been found, as compared to studies done prior to 2018 . The instruments used to evaluate the degree to which individuals display orthorexic behaviors have also suffered from issues of sensitivity and specificity . A recent 2023 review by Pruneti et al. found that the diagnostic criteria often used to identify ON, such as obsessiveness and compulsions related to heightened somatic tension, appear to share pathognomonic characteristics with OCD, although no empirical study exists. Valente et al. reviewed 70 cross-sectional studies and concluded in a recent review that there exists no reliable data regarding the prevalence or epidemiology of ON, although some groups appear to be more susceptible to the risk of ON than others.
Increasing public awareness of health and sociocultural influences, including social media, have been shown to have a strong impact on eating habits, leading to an increasing incidence of the so-called healthy eating obsession, known as orthorexia nervosa . Relative to other styles of unhealthy eating, orthorexia has been largely neglected by the scientific community even though its behavioral pattern is frequently observed by eating disorder specialists.2 In this review, we describe what is known about the symptoms, epidemiology, and assessment of orthorexia, including a discussion of its diagnostic boundaries and neuropsychological profile. Ultimately, the global understanding of orthorexia nervosa through cross-cultural studies will contribute to developing culturally sensitive diagnostic criteria, treatment approaches, and public health strategies, advancing the global recognition and management of this complex eating disorder. The need for longitudinal studies on the course and outcomes of orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa is paramount to enhance our understanding of these emerging eating disorders and inform evidence-based interventions. Whereas "orthorexia" generally refers to an obsession with healthy eating and a fixation on consuming pure and uncontaminated foods , "orthorexia nervosa" suggests a more severe form involving distress, impairment, and potential physical or psychological consequences .
Then, focusing exclusively on our topic—orthorexia nervosa—38 scientific texts were extracted. Recently, research on orthorexia nervosa (ON) has grown in popularity because of the increasing number of reported cases . According to Dunn and Bratman, ON is characterized by pathological consumption of healthy food, which in effect leads to nutritional deficiencies and the simultaneous occurrence of tensions in interpersonal relationships . The first description of this phenomenon was made by S Bratman in 1997 under the name orthorexia nervosa (ON) . Many of the articles included in the review highlight healthy or "non-pathological" orthorexia and report that it is not related to psychopathological constructs in the same way that ON is 18, 20, 28. The TOS adopts a bidimensional test structure and encompasses two related but differentiable idea of orthorexia (healthy orthorexia and ON) .
Though the field lacks data on therapeutic outcomes, current best practices suggest that orthorexia can successfully be treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and medication. An evaluation of current orthorexia measures indicates a need for further psychometric development to ensure that subsequent research has access to reliable and valid assessment tools. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, talk to your healthcare provider and follow their advice regardless of any result you have obtained on this quiz.
Developing a consensus on diagnostic criteria and assessment tools for orthorexia nervosa is critical to advance research, improve clinical recognition, and enhance treatment outcomes for individuals with this emerging eating disorder. The concept of "healthy" eating and pursuing dietary purity may vary significantly across cultures, affecting the presentation and recognition of orthorexia nervosa in different populations. By following individuals with orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa over time, researchers can explore the factors that influence the development and exacerbation of these disorders and identify protective factors that contribute to recovery and improved outcomes. Nutritional counseling involves working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist specializing in eating disorders to provide personalized guidance and support in restoring a healthy and balanced relationship with food . Combining psychoeducation and CBT equips individuals with essential skills and tools to challenge and modify maladaptive behaviors and beliefs, fostering positive changes in dietary habits and promoting overall psychological well-being in treating orthorexia nervosa. Psychoeducation plays a foundational role in treatment, providing individuals with information about the nature of orthorexia nervosa, its potential consequences on physical and mental health, and the underlying psychological factors contributing to the disorder .
The obsession with "clean eating" can also extend to family members or friends, creating tension and strain in relationships when others fail to adhere to the same dietary principles. Early recognition and intervention are vital to mitigate the risk of long-term health complications and promote a balanced and sustainable approach to nutrition and overall well-being. Nevertheless, several researchers and clinicians have proposed diagnostic criteria based on the observed characteristics of individuals with these conditions 1,16,29.
More studies are needed to create a more academically rigorous and universally accepted diagnostic tool given the limitations of existing tools (as summarized in Table 2). When assessed with these newer tools, more consistent and significant relationships between ON and OC symptoms have been found, as compared to studies done prior to 2018 . The instruments used to evaluate the degree to which individuals display orthorexic behaviors have also suffered from issues of sensitivity and specificity . A recent 2023 review by Pruneti et al. found that the diagnostic criteria often used to identify ON, such as obsessiveness and compulsions related to heightened somatic tension, appear to share pathognomonic characteristics with OCD, although no empirical study exists. Valente et al. reviewed 70 cross-sectional studies and concluded in a recent review that there exists no reliable data regarding the prevalence or epidemiology of ON, although some groups appear to be more susceptible to the risk of ON than others.
Increasing public awareness of health and sociocultural influences, including social media, have been shown to have a strong impact on eating habits, leading to an increasing incidence of the so-called healthy eating obsession, known as orthorexia nervosa . Relative to other styles of unhealthy eating, orthorexia has been largely neglected by the scientific community even though its behavioral pattern is frequently observed by eating disorder specialists.2 In this review, we describe what is known about the symptoms, epidemiology, and assessment of orthorexia, including a discussion of its diagnostic boundaries and neuropsychological profile. Ultimately, the global understanding of orthorexia nervosa through cross-cultural studies will contribute to developing culturally sensitive diagnostic criteria, treatment approaches, and public health strategies, advancing the global recognition and management of this complex eating disorder. The need for longitudinal studies on the course and outcomes of orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa is paramount to enhance our understanding of these emerging eating disorders and inform evidence-based interventions. Whereas "orthorexia" generally refers to an obsession with healthy eating and a fixation on consuming pure and uncontaminated foods , "orthorexia nervosa" suggests a more severe form involving distress, impairment, and potential physical or psychological consequences .
Then, focusing exclusively on our topic—orthorexia nervosa—38 scientific texts were extracted. Recently, research on orthorexia nervosa (ON) has grown in popularity because of the increasing number of reported cases . According to Dunn and Bratman, ON is characterized by pathological consumption of healthy food, which in effect leads to nutritional deficiencies and the simultaneous occurrence of tensions in interpersonal relationships . The first description of this phenomenon was made by S Bratman in 1997 under the name orthorexia nervosa (ON) . Many of the articles included in the review highlight healthy or "non-pathological" orthorexia and report that it is not related to psychopathological constructs in the same way that ON is 18, 20, 28. The TOS adopts a bidimensional test structure and encompasses two related but differentiable idea of orthorexia (healthy orthorexia and ON) .
Though the field lacks data on therapeutic outcomes, current best practices suggest that orthorexia can successfully be treated with a combination of cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychoeducation, and medication. An evaluation of current orthorexia measures indicates a need for further psychometric development to ensure that subsequent research has access to reliable and valid assessment tools. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, talk to your healthcare provider and follow their advice regardless of any result you have obtained on this quiz.
Developing a consensus on diagnostic criteria and assessment tools for orthorexia nervosa is critical to advance research, improve clinical recognition, and enhance treatment outcomes for individuals with this emerging eating disorder. The concept of "healthy" eating and pursuing dietary purity may vary significantly across cultures, affecting the presentation and recognition of orthorexia nervosa in different populations. By following individuals with orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa over time, researchers can explore the factors that influence the development and exacerbation of these disorders and identify protective factors that contribute to recovery and improved outcomes. Nutritional counseling involves working with a registered dietitian or nutritionist specializing in eating disorders to provide personalized guidance and support in restoring a healthy and balanced relationship with food . Combining psychoeducation and CBT equips individuals with essential skills and tools to challenge and modify maladaptive behaviors and beliefs, fostering positive changes in dietary habits and promoting overall psychological well-being in treating orthorexia nervosa. Psychoeducation plays a foundational role in treatment, providing individuals with information about the nature of orthorexia nervosa, its potential consequences on physical and mental health, and the underlying psychological factors contributing to the disorder .
