Orthorexia Nervosa: the new eating disorder

Honeycat89

I just wanted to get your opinion on this. Since all this 'fitspo' stuff started on instagram I couldn't help but think it was actually unhealthy. Some of the pictures/comments are promoting eating NOTHING but whole/healthy foods and exercising excessively.

I started to follow fitness accounts on instagram and was shocked how many people''s lives were taken over by eating healthy and exercising. Don't get me wrong, I'm a self confessed gym bunny and consider it my hobby, but I have no problem eating a chocolate bar every day with my lunch or going out for food/getting takeaway at the weekend.

I was thinking to myself this is an eating disorder... yeah it isn't anorexia or bulimia but it's an obsession that rules peoples lives, i was reading one blog where the writer was SO fitness obsessed she would turn down drinks with her friends/meals, even though she had her 'perfect body'.

I found this post on the blog Chocolate Covered Katie:

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2010/03/01/orthorexia-nervosa-the-new-eating-disorder/

I completely agree that this is a from of eating disorder. I don't want you to think that I'm saying eating healthy and being dedicated is a bad thing, as I am totally into that way of life myself; but when it BECOMES your life even after you've reached your goal weight and you can't enjoy the little things in life then what's the point?

Would love to know your opinions

Rocbola

I can see how people's lives can be taken over by exercise, but healthy eating doesn't take much time.

My definition of "enjoying the little things in life" includes having the health, energy, focus and stamina to enjoy all the aspects of my life. Processed or fatty foods take that away from me.

_John_

I would say anytime you have to embarass your kid to refuse a piece of birthday cake that you are medicaly cleared to consume or have a food scale with you at a restaurant...you might have orthorexia nervosa.

If you've ever trimmed the fat on a boneless chicken breast...you might have orthorexia nervosa.

If you'll eat a cake from whole foods but won't eat a salad at mcdonalds...you might have orthorexia nervosa.

waldo56

Orthorexia Nervosa, AKA Strict Paleo

PaleoPath4Lyfe

I just wanted to get your opinion on this. Since all this 'fitspo' stuff started on instagram I couldn't help but think it was actually unhealthy. Some of the pictures/comments are promoting eating NOTHING but whole/healthy foods and exercising excessively.

I started to follow fitness accounts on instagram and was shocked how many people''s lives were taken over by eating healthy and exercising. Don't get me wrong, I'm a self confessed gym bunny and consider it my hobby, but I have no problem eating a chocolate bar every day with my lunch or going out for food/getting takeaway at the weekend.

I was thinking to myself this is an eating disorder... yeah it isn't anorexia or bulimia but it's an obsession that rules peoples lives, i was reading one blog where the writer was SO fitness obsessed she would turn down drinks with her friends/meals, even though she had her 'perfect body'.

I found this post on the blog Chocolate Covered Katie:

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2010/03/01/orthorexia-nervosa-the-new-eating-disorder/

I completely agree that this is a from of eating disorder. I don't want you to think that I'm saying eating healthy and being dedicated is a bad thing, as I am totally into that way of life myself; but when it BECOMES your life even after you've reached your goal weight and you can't enjoy the little things in life then what's the point?

Would love to know your opinions

Its stupid and just another money maker for them to say people that are very conscience about what they put in their mouth and body is an eating disorder.

Most Dr's want their patients to be mindful of what goes in their mouth and is digested through their bodies.

My husband and I eat out within the guidelines of our eating plan, we cook most of our meals, buy the highest quality foods that we can afford and search out healthy ways of living.

If that is a disorder, I am happy to have it.

NumbrsNerd

Its stupid and just another money maker for them to say people that are very conscience about what they put in their mouth and body is an eating disorder.

Most Dr's want their patients to be mindful of what goes in their mouth and is digested through their bodies.

My husband and I eat out within the guidelines of our eating plan, we cook most of our meals, buy the highest quality foods that we can afford and search out healthy ways of living.

If that is a disorder, I am happy to have it.

I'm with you on this one! I have the right to refuse birthday cake - and it shouldn't embarrass my kid because we've taught him that forced social eating is not a good habit. If you don't want it, politely say "no thank you" and move along.

flet2

I agree that being very health focused isn't a bad thing, sticking to certain principals and guidelines etc is all good. i think the point is that for some people it really goes beyond that to be an obsession. if it's affecting your social life and preventing you from having normal interactions with other humans, something is wrong. It's one thing to decline dinner at a crappy junk food restaurant but to let it totally rule your life probably is a bad thing.

Kamikazeflutterby

I know someone IRL who is scared of food and convinced that everything except a few specific brands of organic, gluten-free, non-gmo things will cause him crippling pain. All of the "evil toxins" build up to damage his nerves. He will tell you all about it while chain smoking. I wish I were making this up.

So somewhere between that and meal planning for weight loss and fitness goals attention to detail becomes a disorder.

tmm_0127

My sister has something similar to this. It's not that she avoids foods because she percieves them to be unhealthy for her, but she developed really bad reflux issues a few years ago and is now completely afraid to eat certain foods. I came across the term orthorexia a while ago and knew it was what she was going through, but she doesn't have orthorexia nervosa - she's not doing to it because she's afraid to gain weight she's just terrified of the reflux.

TheGymGypsy

Being consumed and obsessed with calorie counting, health foods, and exercising is definitely a mental disorder. I went through a period where it literally preoccupied every moment of my existence and it was miserable. I'm working on changing that mindset.

Bernadette60614

I know women who weigh every morsel, log in to MFP, eat only nutrient dense foods and wear a device to track their calorie burn. But, they also go out with their families, friends, will snarf an occasional Big Gulp and thoroughly enjoy birthday cake.

I think it is all about balance.

Also, I don't know if Instagram/Facebook etc., depict people who are obsessed. Some people are obsessed with posting status reports about every minute of their lives and it is isn't what I juiced that a.m. it is what clothes I chose to wear today.

TavistockToad

Anything taken to the extreme can be bad.... I don't think thinspo can be to blame entirely, lots of people look at thinspo without developing an eating disorder.

licorice_tea

I think there's an obvious and clear difference between choosing to live a healthy lifestyle and having this disorder. Those of you who turn down cake at a birthday party aren't remotely captured by this definition. In fact, the symptoms are very similar to anorexia.

- Continually cutting out foods that are not "pure"
- Feeling out of control, disgusting and like a failure if you eat "impure" foods
- A euphoric feeling of control when eating your chosen "pure" foods
- Food purity having no strong link to what is actually nutritionally sound
- Spending the majority of your thought power and waking hours on planning your meals and foods

etc etc... it's obvious this is far closer to OCD-spectrum disorders with ruminating thoughts and obsessive rituals than being targeted at people who are just eating healthy.

So, basically I think that sounds like a disorder to me. If you can't stop obsessing over it and think about anything else, it's a disorder. Granted, obsessive personalities could really get obsessed with anything, so maybe there's an argument to be made that it's not worth making a new disorder for everything an obsessive persion gets obsessed with.

Honeycat89

Yeah this is what I was talking about. I'm all for eating whole foods and eating healthy but coming from someone who has had eating issues in the past, if you start denying yourself any 'treats' or 'cheat days' (no matter how rare) it starts to become an obsession. I've seen girls as young as 15 on social media sites obsessing over their diet and exercise, and telling other young girls that they shouldn't be eating pizza or chocolate. Yeah kid shouldn't eat too much pizza and chocolate, but I don't think this is a healthy mindset, a young girl not going out for pizza with her friends because it will ruin her healthy eating?

If you don't have any history of eating disorders or an obsessive personality than of course there's no issue but it's when something becomes an obsession and affects your day to day life that I think it becomes a problem.

_John_

Yeah this is what I was talking about. I'm all for eating whole foods and eating healthy but coming from someone who has had eating issues in the past, if you start denying yourself any 'treats' or 'cheat days' (no matter how rare) it starts to become an obsession. I've seen girls as young as 15 on social media sites obsessing over their diet and exercise, and telling other young girls that they shouldn't be eating pizza or chocolate. Yeah kid shouldn't eat too much pizza and chocolate, but I don't think this is a healthy mindset, a young girl not going out for pizza with her friends because it will ruin her healthy eating?

If you don't have any history of eating disorders or an obsessive personality than of course there's no issue but it's when something becomes an obsession and affects your day to day life that I think it becomes a problem.

the right kinds of chocolate have some tangible nutritional benefits...

lmhbuss

I work in a hospital. We had a patient who literally starved himself to the point of being admitted and having to get a feeding tube...because he was so terrified of all the bad chemicals in food..to the point that he ate almost nothing except organic strawberries. He died because his body was too depleted to handle an actual illness once it hit him. I think that people who are prone to obsessive thinking can go overboard on anything they take a shine to. People who seek perfection in anything are bound to go to far on occasion..but this is pretty different from just trying to be sensible and eat a healthy diet. So, yeah...maybe it is a thing...but I suspect it's only a thing for people who are already prone to disordered thinking and have an intense need to control all aspects of their bodies/food intake.

Honeycat89

You're talking to a complete chocoholic here! Haha can't get enough of the stuff.

almc170

I have a family member that suffers from this. In his quest to become "healthy", he's eliminated so many things from his diet that he's now suffering from extreme osteoporosis and malnutrition.

favoritenut

I think my boss must have this, He has lost over 100lbs and now tells everyone how much he exercises and what he eats, he even brings stuff to restaurants like dressing for his salad and such, he won't ever eat anything that anyone brings into the office, even if its fruit or somewhat healthy, I know he is afraid of gaining all that weight back, so I understand, but it sure gets irritating that he is always talking about it!

lmhbuss

I think there's an obvious and clear difference between choosing to live a healthy lifestyle and having this disorder. Those of you who turn down cake at a birthday party aren't remotely captured by this definition. In fact, the symptoms are very similar to anorexia.

- Continually cutting out foods that are not "pure"
- Feeling out of control, disgusting and like a failure if you eat "impure" foods
- A euphoric feeling of control when eating your chosen "pure" foods
- Food purity having no strong link to what is actually nutritionally sound
- Spending the majority of your thought power and waking hours on planning your meals and foods

etc etc... it's obvious this is far closer to OCD-spectrum disorders with ruminating thoughts and obsessive rituals than being targeted at people who are just eating healthy.

So, basically I think that sounds like a disorder to me. If you can't stop obsessing over it and think about anything else, it's a disorder. Granted, obsessive personalities could really get obsessed with anything, so maybe there's an argument to be made that it's not worth making a new disorder for everything an obsessive persion gets obsessed with.

This. They said it better than I did.

astronomicals

People are ill informed and they feel guilty. Its a lack of understanding clouded by myths and popular belief.

Its the "nutritionally stupid". They may have great SAT scores, but, they don't know F all about nutrition. That, or they are so clouded by popular beliefs that they can't swallow the truth. Regardless, it fuels a guilty conscience and poor body image.

These types of people are a dime a dozen and their success makes them look like a credible source of advice. People really need to get back to the books and stop hazing themselves. The "fitness religion" is probably the worst religion in existence and its followers are growing in numbers rapidly.

ThriceBlessed

I don't know if I would classify it as an eating disorder, or just a form of OCD that focuses in of fitness and food rather than alphabetizing your spice cabinet. There is no doubt that some people let fitness and health concerns so consume their lives that they neglect other areas, and to me this is not healthy, no matter what label you give to the unbalance (OCD, Orthorexia Nervosa, or something else).

However, I think it might be difficult to determine who is really "disordered" and who is simply concerned for their health, where is the line drawn??? What if staying fit is part of a person's "job", such as for a professional athlete, or a Personal Trainer, or a weight loss consultant, or a health coach? If you don't make it somewhat of a focus you might risk losing clients. I'm not saying that people in those professions have to never have a candy bar, but they do probably have to be more cautious about their food and exercise than say, an information technologies specialist necessarily does. Some people might also have health issues that aren't evident to others, but that limit their dietary choices (allergies, celiac disease, diabetes, ADHD, etc.) There are also people who may choose not to have a candy bar, not because they really think one is that harmful, but because they know that they personally have trouble stopping at one, and its easier for them to avoid it all together.

So I agree that the "disorder" probably exists, but it is best to leave that diagnosis to a professional, and refrain from judging someone else as suffering from it or not, because you may not know all the facts.

Rissyroo513

Coming for a psychology point of view, any time you have TOO much or TOO little of something so that it starts to consume your every day living activities, there may be an issue. Becoming obsessive over anything is not healthy even if it is a healthy activity. I'm not saying that being conscious of what you are putting in your body is bad, or exercising is bad. When those concerns cross the point of becoming the only things that matter, a person should step back and make sure their priorities are in the right place and their lives are balanced.

Gray_Sare

It's not a gimmick or made up condition. When eating anything other than what you consider "safe" or "healthy" foods gives you severe anxiety and you actually fear what those foods will do to you, or eating them sends you straight into a panic filled with immense guilt and a need to rid them of your body, then yes you are probably suffering from some form of it, or a mixture of this and other eating issues.

dakotababy

I know someone who I believe fits the criteria for orthorexia. Their food choices consisted only of fruits and veggies. No meat, no dairy, no grains - nothing. Just fruits and veggies.

thevoice1973

Wow, only in the first world are we so quick to want to find something wrong. From a certain perspective, anything can be classified as a disorder.

Here's the kicker; if that "disorder" is causing nothing but social awkwardness and no actual detriment to health, is it really a disorder?

Perhaps it's time for people to realize that it's far, far more important to be concerned by your own opinion than the opinion of others. If they don't like something about what you do, there is very little you can really do to change their minds.

skinnyinnotime

If they want to live their lives like that then that's their decision, I can't see how it affects anyone else.

PaleoPath4Lyfe

I think my boss must have this, He has lost over 100lbs and now tells everyone how much he exercises and what he eats, he even brings stuff to restaurants like dressing for his salad and such, he won't ever eat anything that anyone brings into the office, even if its fruit or somewhat healthy, I know he is afraid of gaining all that weight back, so I understand, but it sure gets irritating that he is always talking about it!

I don't see that as a disorder either................Irritating as it is, I believe he is very proud of his accomplishment and wants everyone to know about it.

I bring my own salad dressing many places that don't make their own dressings. I no longer eat a bottled salad dressing. If a restaurant doesn't make theirs daily, then I bring my own.

I don't eat what others bring into the office either..............especially when they say I made "XXX" low carb or "paleo" just for you.

I don't know what ingredients went into making what they brought in, so I graciously decline and say I am not hungry at the time, but thank you for thinking of me.

I have had too many people tell me that ingredients in foods they made were this or that or they don't understand what gluten free is and then I end up with a major pain flare for days on end.

It is just easier and healthier for me to stay away.

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LaNellAngerstein

I second & third this. :drinker:

I believe our society is so messed up about eating that healthy food habits ARE considered "a disorder" because it has become so uncommon to see, even, a true omnivore diet.
Some people don't want to be reminded that what they put in their month is unhealthy and are willing to point fingers/call names to keep from having to take responsibility for and be confronted with their own bad habits.

That said, I really love Chocolate Covered Katie and her blog. I have followed her for sometime now and respect her position. I just believe too many people will attempt to take her words COMPLETELY out of context.

_John_

somebody go get jonnythan and reddy...

I'm making the popcorn.

(airpopped)