Orthorexics?

[Cheech32917]

I just came across this article that describes some "new" eating disorders. Interestingly enough when they describe what a Orthorexic eats it sounds pretty close to what the paleo diet is. Thought some of you may find it interesting.

http://health.yahoo.net/experts/dayinhealth/new-eating-disorders-are-they-real

[Marotta]

They're calling that a disorder? Fucking retards.

[Tamara Reynolds]

Ha. Ironic.

They are calling it a disorder because of nut jobs like this: http://board.crossfit.com/showthread.php?t=66667

[pfw]

Orthorexia is what people call diets they don't like. Probably the only diet which can't be called "orthorexic" is one where you literally don't care about food and eat whatever the fuck you want. Everyone else is narrowing their food choices based on some criteria, and therefore suffering from "correct eating" disorder.

In other words, it's a totally meaningless and useless concept with no predictive or explanatory power.

You can call the paleo diet orthorexic. You can call weight watchers orthorexic. You can call some random guy who doesn't think <insert any food or food category here> orthorexic. Anyone who avoids any food for any reason can fit the orthorexic criteria. Hell even celiacs and peanut allergy sufferers are orthorexic. Once you've jammed everyone into a category, its usefulness declines to zero.

[Patrick]

Orthorexia is what people call diets they don't like. Probably the only diet which can't be called "orthorexic" is one where you literally don't care about food and eat whatever the fuck you want. Everyone else is narrowing their food choices based on some criteria, and therefore suffering from "correct eating" disorder.

In other words, it's a totally meaningless and useless concept with no predictive or explanatory power.

You can call the paleo diet orthorexic. You can call weight watchers orthorexic. You can call some random guy who doesn't think <insert any food or food category here> orthorexic. Anyone who avoids any food for any reason can fit the orthorexic criteria. Hell even celiacs and peanut allergy sufferers are orthorexic. Once you've jammed everyone into a category, its usefulness declines to zero.

I would disagree. Orthorexia is defined as eating so as to maximize perceived health when in fact it causes adverse health effects. Its predictive power is that people who are diagnosed with the condition will, if left to their druthers in the grocery store, end up eating in such a way as to become ill as a direct result of their drive to "eat healthy".

[pfw]

Patrick: If that were the definition of the term, then I might agree with you. However, "causes adverse health effects" is not required to be called orthorexic; to quote the wiki:


Do they spend more than 3 hours a day thinking about healthy foods? When they eat the way they're supposed to, do they feel in total control? Are they planning tomorrow's menu today? Has the quality of their life decreased as the quality of their diet increased? Have they become stricter with themselves? Does their self-esteem get a boost from eating healthy? Do they look down on others who don't eat this way? Do they skip foods they once enjoyed in order to eat the "right" foods? Does their diet make it difficult for them to eat anywhere but at home, distancing them from family and friends? Do they feel guilt or self-loathing when they stray from their diet? If yes was answered to two or more questions, the person may have a mild case of orthorexia.

So if I plan my meals in advance and become stricter about the food I eat in order to seek better health, I am a candidate for orthorexia. In fact, the entire set of questions probably fits virtually every fat person attempting to go on a diet. Note also how the article originally linked made an incredibly broad connection between restriction of various foods and anorexia/emaciation. If I avoid wheat, I'm an orthorexic even if I don't become anorexic or emaciated ever, even if I gain weight afterwards because I had a mild gluten sensitivity that was screwing with my intestines.

If the term was restricted merely to the mental disorder of eating yourself to death (veganism, etc), then it would have some value. But as it is, virtually anyone who cares about what they eat for any reason is a suspect orthorexic.

[JM3]

If I think I might be orthorexic- do I go to the orthodontist? shit Im confused..... get that fucking bread away from me you insulin freak...

[The Emancipated Freak]

Now, despite sharing some symptoms, there's a difference between being an emaciated freak and being an idiot who claims they have orthorexia.