Since writing about Michael Pollan’s In Defense of Food, I have been thinking about a point he explores in his book and I only touched on in my last post: the idea of Orthorexia, that is, an obsession with being healthy. Coined by Stevan Bratman, MD, in 1997, the term stems from the greek worth ortho meaning straight and correct. As stated in an article by ABC News, “Anorexics seem to always think they're fat, but orthorexics know they're thin, but they want to be pure." Although this isn’t officially recognized as an eating disorder, it is gaining steam as a relevant problem in society. It reads as a hybrid of anorexia and obsessive compulsive disorder. Sufferers often lose a staggering amount of body weight and have symptoms similar to those of an anorexic, but they are not striving to be thin. Instead, they practice almost ritualistic eating and are consumed with the notions of keeping their bodies clean. This is a way of thinking that can be disguised as a healthy lifestyle. No one faults another for wanting to eat better and eat the best, most nutritious foods available to them. Orthorexics are able to hide behind the notion of purity, something many prize in individuals so they will never condemn in a diet. 
Although any health expert will advocate a diet made up of whole, unprocessed ingredients, Orthrorexics take it to a dangerous extreme.
Although any health expert will advocate a diet made up of whole, unprocessed ingredients, Orthrorexics take it to a dangerous extreme. Since coming across this concept I have been particularly troubled by it. As someone who spent the better part of her life dieting and being preoccupied with weight, and now having an avenue to explore one of my favorite topics all the time, it seems strange to think that I may have actually dealt with a form of disordered eating. This is a feeling I am guessing many of you may feel after reading this article.
The reason I wanted to explore this further is that it seems to be a trap many dieters can fall into if they’re not careful. If you think there might be a chance that you have fallen victim to Orthoexia, try taking this self test. I am not suggesting this as a diagnosis, just a way to get more information if this concept strikes a certain chord. You can also check out Steve Bratman's book Health Food Junkies: Orthorexia: Overcoming the Obsession with Healthful Eating. It documents his own bought with the disorder while living in a commune in the 1970's.
Disordered eating is not to be confused with a strict diet regiment. It is a pattern that might follow you for the rest of your life. Make sure you diet right, not destructively.
Comments
I was so happy to find out recently that orthorexia even had a name! When I was a pre-teen I had it, I was obsessed with eating perfectly & when I felt I ate impurely I made myself throw it up. I remember being classified with having an eating disorder but not being able to relate the one thing about eating disorders that everyone else did, I didn't care about being thin, I wanted to be perfectly healthy, pure & clean & live a long life. So for all this time I felt so alone with this, but I'm not!
It is so great to put a name to what I have, and I always hated saying anorexia or bulimia because I felt it wasn't right. I know we shouldn't focus on labels, but I'm glad I have a name for my problem.
Thanks for writing this article Melissa! I am an expert on Orthorexia in Canada. Check out my take on it by looking at my website: itsnotaboutthefood.net
Cheers,
Esther
While orthorexia is not an officially recognized eating disorder-- its characteristic traits seem to emerge first among those who go on to develop full-blown eating disorders. (No one wakes up one day and has an eating disorder, it's a slow evolution).
I believe that the concept of orthorexia helps break through the person's denial of "eating healthy" at any cost or what I sometimes call, "holy nutrition". (I specialize in eating disorders and its many variances...)
Here's another article on orthexia, "Orthorexia: When Eating Healthy Becomes an Unhealthy Obsession" (free full text article in Today's Dietitian June 2009)
Thanks for getting the word out!
Evelyn
wwwEvelynTribolecom
Now I know what afflicts Gwyneth Paltrow (see her blog GOOP)! She is ever in search of purity power!!!
If you read the books "The China Study and Food Revolution by John Robbins, you would and should be very worried and about the food you eat, where it comes from, the chemicals used etc. After reading these 2 amazing books hopefully you would want to eat only healthy and organic food. The meat and dairy industry are so corrupt and should be monitored very closely. If you are curious about the food you eat, there is a movie called "Food Inc" out in selected cities. Also, sorry for the persons who suffered from eating disorders. I didn't want to be just one sided.
Bill Maher.
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