What You Need To Know About Orthorexia
In his 2004 American documentary film, Super Size Me, Morgan Spurlock embarked on the journey of taking an honest look at the obesity problem in America, pointing its finger at the unmoderated consumption of fast food as the culprit.
The saying, “you are what you eat,” reminds us of the importance of being mindful about what we put in our mouths within the context of balance, variety and moderation. Considering the myriad of diet products and advertisements that we are constantly inundated with (promising big results if we can only stop “being bad” with food), being health conscious and vigilant about healthy eating patterns is unlikely to raise concern from our loved ones. However, in recent years, increased attention has been given to a new term to describe a fixation on healthy food and the obsessive pursuit of the perfect diet: Orthorexia.
Steven Bratman, MD, coined the term orthorexia nervosa to describe a fixation on pure or righteous eating. Orthorexics, unlike anorexics or bulimics, are not enticed into restrictive behaviors in order to lose weight; instead, the goal is to achieve a feeling of perfection and purity. This obsession with organic or biologically pure foods prompts rigid and restrictive eating patterns. Foods that get categorized as unsafe, bad, or wrong, are both avoided and removed from meal plans. If these foods are ever consumed, the person experiences guilt, shame and anger towards self. He/she is likely to self-punish for breaking their food rule and become stricter with their dietary plans. Because these obsessions are real and hold meaning, individuals struggling with orthorexia have a difficult time enjoying social activities or family gatherings where a variety of food (unsafe food) is present.
Such people are sometimes affectionately called “healthfood junkies.” However, in some cases, orthorexia goes beyond a mere lifestyle choice. Obsession with healthy food can progress to the point where it crowds out other activities and interests, impairs relationships, and even becomes physically dangerous. When this happens, orthorexia takes on the dimensions of a true eating disorder, like anorexia nervosa or bulimia.
According to Bratman’s research, orthorexia sometimes holds a spiritual component that drives this extreme healthy eating commitment. These inner rules are often rooted in the belief that consuming organic foods will make a person cleaner, or in some ways, more righteous. Some individuals admit feeling a sense of superiority over others and/or perceiving themselves as able to live by higher standards in obedience to God’s calling to pursue purity and perfection. The obsessions and rigid food rules are often rationalized through overspiritualized statements such as, “I’m just a good steward of the body God gave me,” or “my body is the temple of God, so I need to take care of His temple.” Therefore, the idea of consuming food that has been scientifically altered is experienced as an unwise and deliberate choice to mar what God created to be enjoyed in its original state.
Some of the following Biblical verses are often quoted to defend health-food obsessions:
Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
I Corinthians 6:19-20 NIV
So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
I Corinthians 10:31 NIV
We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
II Corinthians 4:10 NIV
For it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
I Peter 1:16 NIV
The children of Israel were given a set of strict dietary laws at Mount Sinai. These were recorded by Moses in Leviticus chapter 11 and Deuteronomy chapter 14. As you read through these laws, you will noticed some food items categorized as “clean” and “unclean.” The food laws were ritualistic, and most theologians believe that one reason for giving the laws of clean and unclean meats was “holiness” (See I Peter 1:16).
It is important to note that orthorexia is not a part of the current edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM IV-TR) and that much controversy and debate surrounds the idea of giving it its own designation in the manual. While those of us who specialize in the treatment of eating disorders can attest this fixation is real in some of the people we treat, there is a recognition that due to the insufficient research data that currently exists, orthorexia may not have its own diagnostic category any time soon. What is concerning is that orthorexic symptoms appear to be increasingly common.
If you or someone you know struggles with orthorexia, an assessment by a professional mental health clinician would be highly recommended. Whether or not orthorexia is seen as an eating disorder type, the emotional distress, obsessions and compulsions surrounding orthorexia may be an indicator of anxiety or OCD issues.
Copyright © 2009 Cesar G. Gamez, MA., All Rights Reserved Worldwide.
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