Orthorexia Nervosa

Whereas anorexia nervosa is an obsession with the quantity of food one eats, it is also possible to be obsessed with eating foods of a certain quality. Orthorexia nervosa, a new term coined by Steven Bratman, M.D., refers to this obsession with eating "proper" foods. ("Ortho" means straight and "orexia" refers to appetite.)

While it is normal for people to change what they eat to improve their health, treat an illness or lose weight, individuals with orthorexia nervosa may take the concern too far. It is common for individuals who are on diets to be concerned with what types of food they are eating, but this concern should quickly decrease as they near or achieve their desired weight.

In the case of orthorexia nervosa, people remain consumed with what types of food they allow themselves to eat, and feel badly about themselves if they fail to stick to their diet.

People suffering from this obsession may display the following signs.

• Spending more than three hours a day thinking about healthy food
• Planning tomorrow's menu today
• Feeling virtuous about what they eat, but not enjoying it much
• Continually limiting the number of foods they eat
• Experiencing a reduced quality of life or social isolation (because their diet makes it difficult for them to eat anywhere but at home)
• Feeling critical of others who do not eat as well they do
• Skipping foods they once enjoyed in order to eat the "right" foods
• Feeling guilt or self-loathing when they stray from their diet
• Feeling in "total" control when they eat the correct diet

While orthorexia nervosa is not a formal medical condition, many doctors do feel that it explains an important and growing health phenomenon. If you think you or a friend suffers from something that sounds or feels like this description of orthorexia nervosa, you should visit either a nutritionist or doctor who can help you.