In a world increasingly focused on health and wellness, the pursuit of a perfect diet has become almost a cultural norm. From organic foods to clean eating and specialized diets, the emphasis on consuming "pure" and "healthy" foods is ever-present. However, for some, this dedication to healthy eating can cross the line into an unhealthy obsession known as orthorexia.
Coined in 1997 by American doctor Steven Bratman, orthorexia means a pathological fixation on eating proper and healthy food (Bratman et,. al 1997). People suffering from orthorexia avoid eating certain foods and/or certain food processing methods, e.g., frying, because they believe that they are harmful to their health.
They obsessively focus on the quality and method of preparing meals, strictly following the rules regarding the appearance and composition of food, and often avoid food of specific colors which contain dyes and preservatives (Monroze et al,. 2015). People suffering from orthorexia spend many hours a day carefully planning what they are going to eat. The consequence of this “obsession” with healthy eating may be an ill-balanced, deficient diet resulting from imposed restrictions and the gradual elimination of an increasingly wider group of products, but also social isolation and intolerance towards people who eat differently (Dunn et al,. 2016).
Diet Culture in the Age of Wellness
Diet culture is a pervasive societal framework that prioritizes thinness, shape, and size over overall well-being and health. Diet culture contributes to body dissatisfaction and poor self-esteem, particularly among women, who are disproportionately affected by societal pressures to conform to narrow beauty standards (Tiggemann, 2011). This dissatisfaction can lead to the development of disordered eating behaviors, such as chronic dieting, binge eating, and conditions like anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa (National Eating Disorders Association, 2018). Furthermore, diet culture perpetuates harmful stereotypes, equating thinness with health and moral virtue, which can result in weight-based discrimination and stigmatization (Puhl & Heuer, 2009). Economically, the diet industry capitalizes on these insecurities, generating billions of dollars annually by selling weight loss products and services that often fail to deliver long-term results (Marketdata LLC, 2020).
Psychological Consequences
While orthorexia may start as a genuine attempt to improve health, it can quickly spiral into an all-consuming obsession with food quality. The psychological consequences of orthorexia are profound:
1. Anxiety and Guilt: Individuals with orthorexia nervosa often experience intense anxiety surrounding their food choices, which can dominate their thoughts and lead to obsessive behaviors. This anxiety stems from the fear of eating foods perceived as unhealthy or impure, which can result in feelings of guilt when deviating from strict dietary rules (Koven & Abry, 2014). This can lead to an unhealthy relationship with food, where eating becomes a source of stress rather than nourishment, and individuals may become preoccupied with planning, preparing, and consuming meals in a way that adheres to their rigid dietary guidelines (McComb & Mills, 2019).
2. Social Isolation: As orthorexia becomes more ingrained, social activities involving food, such as dining out with friends or family, become increasingly difficult. The rigid dietary restrictions and fear of consuming something deemed "unhealthy" can lead individuals to avoid social situations that involve food, resulting in social withdrawal and isolation (Cena et al., 2019). This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and further entrench the disorder, as individuals may become more focused on their dietary regimen as a source of identity and control (Oberle et al., 2017).
3. Perfectionism and Control: Orthorexia is often associated with perfectionism and a strong need for control, where individuals strive for an idealized form of healthy eating that is often unattainable. This perfectionism extends beyond food, impacting other areas of life and leading to a rigid and inflexible lifestyle (Koven & Sen, 2013). The drive for perfection in their diet can cause individuals to impose extreme restrictions on themselves, which may also manifest in other behaviors and decisions, contributing to an overall sense of rigidity in daily living (Haman et al., 2020).
Conclusion
Orthorexia is a serious and often misunderstood condition that can have significant psychological and physical consequences. While the pursuit of a healthy diet is commendable, it is essential to recognize when it crosses the line into an unhealthy obsession. Recognizing orthorexia can be challenging because the behavior is often praised in a society that values healthy living. However, when healthy eating becomes an obsession that interferes with daily life, it may be time to seek help.
If you or someone you know may be struggling with orthorexia, seeking professional help is crucial in restoring a healthy relationship with food and improving overall well-being.
Learn more about self-image issues such as eating disorders and body dysmorphia on episodes 13 & 14 of our podcast, Nuts & Bolts of Wellbeing.
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