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Healthy Food Obsession Is Latest Eating Disorder Trend
By Mary Papenfuss
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Posted Aug 16, 09 8:45 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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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."