Orthorexia: An Eating Disorder Emerges

摘要

There are several eating disorders categorized as mental-health problems. A recent example is an obsessive behavior with healthy eating called orthorexia nervosa. Orthorexia generally begins as an attempt to eat more healthfully. Since it is not easy to maintain this rigid eating style, people punish themselves if temptation wins, usually through stricter eating, fasts, and exercise.1 Eventually, orthorexics become so restrictive and picky in their food choices, both in kind and calories, that their health suffers. The obsession with healthy eating can overshadow other activities and interests, impair relationships, and become physically dangerous.