By BodyMatters therapist Sarah McMahon
Othorexia is a term that literally means “fixation on righteous eating”, presented clinically as an obsession about eating healthy food. Despite sharing many commonalities with clinical eating disorders like Anorexia Nervosa, it is not currently an official eating disorder. Yet according to the National Eating Disorder Association, many people suffer from the condition- ironically putting their life at risk.
Eventually food choices become so restrictive, in both variety and calories, that health suffers – an ironic twist for a person so completely dedicated to healthy eating. Eventually, the obsession with healthy eating can crowd out other activities and interests, impair relationships, and become physically dangerous.
Clearly this is an area that desperately requires further research. This great little video explains the condition further. It was compiled to attract funding under a voting competition offered by Thinkable– so please consider sharing the video- and voting for it- so this vital issue can be researched further! Vote here!
