Orthorexia

Orthorexia is an unhealthy preoccupation with eating healthy or “clean” food and avoiding junk food or foods perceived as unhealthy. It is similar to anorexia nervosa and can have similar psychological issues. Orthorexia is associated with an obsessive desire to avoid processed, unhealthy, and non-natural foods and a focus on “clean” eating. This can have serious health consequences, including malnutrition and an inability to accept social food occasions. Its significance is to recognize the potentially damaging consequences of obsessively trying to be too “healthy” with food. Recognizing and managing orthorexia is important for a healthy relationship with food, including being able to enjoy a variety of foods and socialize freely.