Orthorexia Nervosa- a Review

Saraswati, Purohit; Nagendraswamy, C

doi:10.5958/2395-180x.2015.00062.6

Cited by 3 publications

(7 citation statements)

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“…Over time, as awareness of disordered eating patterns increased, researchers and healthcare professionals recognized orthorexia as a distinct phenomenon deserving further investigation. Subsequently, the term "orthorexia nervosa" emerged to describe a more severe variant characterized by intense anxiety, distress, and functional impairments related to the rigid pursuit of an idealized and "pure" diet [1]. The rise of social media and the internet facilitated the dissemination of dietary trends, fostering a culture that glorified specific eating patterns and demonized others.…”

Section: Historical Context and Emergence Of Orthorexia And Orthorexi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The obsession with consuming only "pure" and "clean" foods has ignited discussions about the intersection of personal illness fears and extreme dietary habits. Individuals with orthorexia often feel overwhelming anxiety about consuming anything perceived as unhealthy, so their fixation on food quality can severely impact their physical and mental well-being [1]. This highlights the complex interplay between a genuine concern for health and the development of an unhealthy preoccupation with food choices.…”

Section: Risk Factors and Associated Psychological And Sociocultural ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, it is essential to note that these disorders are not officially recognized in the DSM-5 or the ICD-10 [13,14]. Nevertheless, several researchers and clinicians have proposed diagnostic criteria based on the observed characteristics of individuals with these conditions [1,16,29]. Proposed criteria for orthorexia nervosa typically include features such as an intense preoccupation with the quality and purity of food, an excessive focus on the nutritional content of meals, rigid dietary rules and restrictions, and a significant impact on daily life and functioning due to these behaviors.…”

Section: Definition and Diagnostic Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa are distinct but related concepts within disordered eating behaviors. Orthorexia can be defined as an obsessive and extreme fixation on consuming only "pure" and "healthy" foods, primarily focusing on the quality and cleanliness of the diet [1]. Individuals with orthorexia exhibit rigid dietary rules, often avoiding entire food groups and becoming increasingly preoccupied with their meals' sourcing, preparation, and nutritional content [2].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Horovitz,

Argyrides

2023

Nutrients

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Orthorexia nervosa is an emerging and controversial eating disorder characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating and an extreme fixation on food purity. Despite growing public interest in orthorexia, its classification as a distinct eating disorder remains a subject of ongoing debate in the mental health community. This paper comprehensively reviews the current literature on orthorexia nervosa, exploring the prevalence rates, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment options. The paper offers an overview of orthorexia and its historical context and explores the challenges and considerations in diagnosing orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa. Specifically, the distinction between “orthorexia” and “orthorexia nervosa” is a debated issue in eating disorder research due to a lack of clear diagnostic criteria, making it challenging to accurately differentiate between an obsession with healthy eating and a more severe form with potential distress and impairment. Given the absence of formal diagnostic criteria, developing valid and reliable assessment tools is crucial to accurately identify and treat individuals experiencing these disorders. The paper’s final section covers the existing treatment approaches for orthorexia nervosa. Overall, the paper highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of orthorexia nervosa. This review contributes to the ongoing discourse surrounding orthorexia and provides valuable insights for clinicians, researchers, and stakeholders in the mental health and eating disorders fields.

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Section: Historical Context and Emergence Of Orthorexia And Orthorexi...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Risk Factors and Associated Psychological And Sociocultural ...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Definition and Diagnostic Criteriamentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Horovitz,

Argyrides

2023

Nutrients

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“…This focus is very broad and occurs at the intersection of social influences and daily life psychopathology [2]. In a review paper, Saraswati et al described orthorexia as an obsession with avoiding foods perceived as unhealthy, often leading to emotional disturbances and restrictive eating patterns [3]. In contrast, Kalra et al emphasized the clinical features of this disease, noting the bidirectional links between endocrinopathy and orthorexia [4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Intra- and Interpersonal Dimensions of Orthorexia: Preliminary Development and Validation of an Intra- and Interpersonal Effects Scale for Orthorexia

Styk,

Gortat,

Samardakiewicz-Kirol

et al. 2024

Nutrients

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Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a disorder characterized by dietary restrictions and an obsessive focus on “healthy” eating. The present study analyzes two aspects of ON. One related to the inner experiences of the individual (intrapersonal). The other concerns the impact of ON on interpersonal relationships (interpersonal). The developed scale was named the Intra- and Interpersonal Effects Scale of Orthorexia (IIESO). The analysis showed an average correlation between the INTER and INTRA factors (r = 0.46). Both the INTER and INTRA scales correlated strongly with both subscales of the TOS but weakly with the ORTO-R score. Females obtained higher scores on the INTER scale (p < 0.01), while no differences were shown for the INTRA subscale or the overall scale score (p < 0.01). Subjects using supplements had higher mean scores on the INTER and INTRA subscales and for the total score. Among the analyzed results, the greatest strength effect was shown for the total score on the IIESO scale (INTER+INTRA) and the TOS scale. The questionnaires used to date have not distinguished between behaviors from interpersonal and intrapersonal perspectives. Research on these dimensions could expand our knowledge of the disorder and refine diagnostic criteria.

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Unveiling Anxiety Factors in Orthorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Exploration of Fears and Coping Strategies

Tragantzopoulou,

Giannouli

2024

Healthcare

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Orthorexia nervosa represents a controversial phenomenon in the realm of eating practices, characterized by an obsessive fixation on consuming only foods deemed ’healthy’, and a preoccupation with food purity. While the existing literature has identified the presence of stressful behaviors among individuals with orthorexia, the precise factors and circumstances eliciting these stress-inducing emotions remain the subject of ongoing inquiry. This study aims to explore the triggers and situations that precipitate stressful beliefs and emotions among individuals who self-identify as preoccupied with healthy eating, as well as the coping mechanisms developed to manage these feelings. Through conducting one-to-one interviews with thirteen individuals, thematic analysis was employed to elucidate the nuances of their experiences. Participants articulated concerns regarding the contamination of foods available in supermarkets and restaurants, thereby prompting the meticulous selection of food sources and aversion to dining out. The prospect of trying new foods and engaging in social gatherings involving food emerged as anxiety-inducing scenarios, prompting individuals to adhere to monotonous dietary patterns and impose self-isolation. Additionally, medical appointments were perceived as stressful, driven by health concerns underpinning the adoption of stringent dietary practices. These findings underscore the spectrum of fears and coping mechanisms exhibited by individuals with orthorexia nervosa, which hold profound implications for their overall well-being.

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Orthorexia Nervosa- a Review

Cited by 3 publications

References 0 publications

Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Orthorexia and Orthorexia Nervosa: A Comprehensive Examination of Prevalence, Risk Factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Intra- and Interpersonal Dimensions of Orthorexia: Preliminary Development and Validation of an Intra- and Interpersonal Effects Scale for Orthorexia

Unveiling Anxiety Factors in Orthorexia Nervosa: A Qualitative Exploration of Fears and Coping Strategies

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