Orthorexia is a term coined by Steven Bratman, and David Michael Knight in their book Health Food Junkies. It is refers to pathological fixation on eating proper food.
The sufferers emphasis on ostensibly healthy food, including fresh, organic and the avoidance of all food considered bad (such as fast food, pizzas, ice cream) leads to a pathology in its own right: a compulsion to eat pure and superior ingredients.
It can start innocently, usually as a health quest and end up with the person’s life and self image being controlled by the rules of pure eating.
Most must resort to an iron self-discipline bolstered by a hefty dose of superiority over those who eat junk food.
As orthorexia progresses, a day filled with sprouts, umeboshi plums, and amaranth biscuit comes to feel as holy as one spent serving the poor and homeless.
Orthorexia can lead to social isolation, can impeded healthy relationships and may lead to physical and mental health problems.
Orthorexia nervosa
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