What Is Orthorexia?

Also known as orthorexia nervosa, it means a eating disorder that includes a strong focus on eating only healthy foods. Unlike anorexia, where someone will not eat, with orthorexia, a person will eat obsessively only in a healthy way. This fixation becomes extreme and can lead to malnutrition, underlying health problems and sometimes, death.

A relatively new term of the 1990’s, the word orthos means right, while orexis means appetite. This unhealthy obession (similar to that of obsessive-compulsive disorder) has the person thinking they are merely eating healthy. Certain fats and foods with preservatives are avoided, which provide important nutrients to the body’s organs and muscles.

Some other things that those suffering from orthorexia may avoid are animal products or foods high in sodium. This unhealthy food pattern can lead to severe dietary restrictions causing underlying health problems. Some of these include lack of energy, headaches, nausea, extreme weight loss and loss of muscle tone.

Much like any other eating disorder, if someone you know is acting in such a way that you are alarmed, immediately contact their loved ones. If the situation is extreme enough, further medical action may need be taken before a severe result occurs. Orthorexia is the newest trend in today’s eating disorder sufferers.