Eating healthy, nutritious and fresh food is good – for both your physical and mental health. However, for some people this meditation becomes an obsession that gradually develops eating disorder Known as orthorexia, or orthorexia nervo. Like other eating disorders, orthorexia has serious consequences, as this complex condition also leads to many other mental health problems such as obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and other eating disorders.

Many experts have called for the creation of their own diagnostic criteria and treatment plans for orthorexia.

what is orthorexia nervosa,

It has been termed an eating disorder that involves unhealthy passion for healthy foodThis term was first coined in 1997. The word is derived from the Greek words “orthos”, meaning “right” and “orexis”, meaning “appetite.” However, in practice, it is better translated as “correct diet”.

Unlike other eating disorders, Orthorexia revolves around food quality And not quantity; People with this condition focus on the perceived healthfulness of food rather than on losing weight or getting slimmer.

Doctors say that people with this condition show excessive obsession with the “purity” or “cleanliness” of their food, as well as the benefits of healthy eating. Studies show that most vegans and vegetarians have higher rates of orthorexia. However, it is also a fact that for these people, becoming vegetarian or vegan is just a symptom of orthorexia rather than a cause.

Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia

Even though there are no official diagnostic criteria for orthorexia, there are certain signs and symptoms that someone with the condition may exhibit, such as:

• Excessive fear and avoidance of unhealthy foods
• Being passionate about healthy and nutritious food
• inability to stick to a particular eating pattern
• obsessively following a dietary pattern
• Cutting out large groups of foods despite there being no medical, religious, cultural, or ethical reason to do so
• Spending all of your time planning, buying, and preparing healthy meals
• Showing unusual interest or an overly critical attitude in other people’s eating habits
• Always reviewing menus or thinking about foods to be served at events.
• Do not go to social functions thinking that the food served there will be unhealthy
• Losing Weight Unhealthily – Reasons to Restrict Food

What causes orthorexia?

According to doctors, people who start changing their diet with the intention of improving their health and end up overdoing it, orthorexia takes a toll on them. Over time, good intentions and interest in supporting health can develop into an unhealthy mental health problem.

Although experts aren’t sure what exactly causes orthorexia, several factors play a role in its development. Some of these include:

Obsessive-compulsive tendency towards food

In many cases, doctors say orthorexia appears as a more socially acceptable way of restricting foods you consider unhealthy.

Worry

Individuals who have a history of anxiety and stress are more likely to develop this eating disorder.

social factors

Experts say that for many people, social factors like greater knowledge about nutrition, higher income and access to clean and organic foods may predispose you to developing orthorexia.

weight related problems

Many people who face weight-related stigma or prejudice also engage in orthorexia-related behaviors.

How does orthorexia affect your daily life?

Orthorexia has several negative health effects:

• severe malnutrition
• anemia
• abnormally slow heart rate
• digestive problems
• Electrolyte and hormonal imbalance
• metabolic acidosis
• weakness
• weak immune system
• high anxiety and stress
• social isolation

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