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Healthy Food Obsession Is Latest Eating Disorder Trend

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Aug 16, 2009 8:45 AM CDT

(Newser) – A neurotic fixation on eating only healthy food is the latest eating disorder trend, reports the Guardian. Orthorexia nervosa affects both men and women. Othorexics are so obsessed with "pure" foods that they can become malnourished, say experts. They tend to be extremely proud of their "virtuous" behavior, though constantly refining and restricting their diet can be so stressful it interferes with personal relationships.

"The issues underlying orthorexia are often the same as anorexia," says Ursula Philpot, head of the British Dietetic Association's mental health group. "Those most susceptible are middle-class, well-educated people who read about food scares, and have the time and money to source what they believe to be purer alternatives." Deanne Jade, founder of the National Centre for Eating Disorders in Britain, believes the trend is increasing because "modern society has lost its way with food."

Is this pure enough?
Is this pure enough?   (©dichohecho)
Experts say more and more people are neurotically fixated on eating pure foods.
Experts say more and more people are neurotically fixated on eating "pure" foods.   (©avlxyz)
Constantly refining and restricting diets can interfere with nourishment and personal relationships, experts warn.
Constantly refining and restricting diets can interfere with nourishment and personal relationships, experts warn.   (©norwichnuts)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 10 comments
cognitivefilter
Aug 17, 2009 5:37 AM CDT
i don't know........maybe the powers that be are putting this up in order to get us to eat their overprocessed, MSG, frozen toxic bullshit. buying local is undeniably healthier and worthy of obsession.
Spydiggity
Aug 16, 2009 8:32 AM CDT
Give me a break. There is nothing people of the last 50 years are more obsessed with than finding things that they are obsessed with. We are a giant, hypochondriac society. There must always be something wrong with us.
iamacidangel
Aug 16, 2009 6:28 AM CDT
I attempt to be obsessed about food and eat as healthy as possible. But the food that is bad for you is infinitely better tasting!

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