Obsession with healthy food leads to eating disorder
Health watchdogs say they are concerned about an increase in numbers of people suffering “orthorexia”, which develops from an obsession to eat healthy food.
The condition is not easy to spot, because unlike anorexics, sufferers of orthorexia tend to have normal body weight and have no desire to be thin.
The underlying motivation of othorexics stems from a longing to feel pure, healthy and natural by pursuing a rigidly healthy diet.
But experts have warned that the condition is just as dangerous as anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating, which account for the bulk of the eating disorders that affect 200,000 people here.
In extreme cases the fixation with only eating organic or additive-free foods can lead to severe malnutrition or even death.
Suzanne Horgan, director of the Eating Disorder Resource Centre of Ireland, says she is concerned about orthorexia because most sufferers don’t realise they have it.
She said: “It’s a terrible condition and those that suffer it can develop an almost pathological obsession with food. What starts out as a desire to be healthy by eating only certain foods quickly becomes very unhealthy. It’s an almost pathological obsession with the origin of food and the desire to detox and cleanse the body.
“People who suffer it become very isolated and when they go to someone’s house or a restaurant it becomes very distressing for them, as they won’t eat because they don’t know where the food came from or if it is organic.
“The relationship with food becomes irrational to the extent that sufferers will not eat for two, three or even four days and it can quickly develop into other eating disorders, like anorexia. It can also lead to binge-eating because the diet has been so rigid the body is craving food.”
Although therapy is provided to sufferers, most of whom are female, Ms Horgan says there is such a lack of awareness about the condition that most sufferers simply don’t know they have a problem.
She added: “Most people who have the condition don’t think they have a problem. I gave a talk in Ennis recently about it and one woman put her hand up and said she didn’t realise she had orthorexia.
“It’s just not reported on much and unlike other eating conditions there has been no research or surveys done in Ireland on it yet.
“But I think it’s definitely on the increase and it can be treated through therapy by exploring the reasons why someone wants to become uber-healthy and why they are over-evaluating themselves.
“We can challenge their thinking through therapy and change their behaviour.”
The centre will also be unveiling details of a diploma course operating in the south-west for healthcare professionals looking to specialise in eating disorders.
The Eating Disorder Resource Centre of Ireland, which was set up by Ms Horgan, offers therapy, education, training, information, advice, support and care to individuals experiencing eating disorders.
The condition will be discussed at two open days at the Clarion Hotel, Cork tomorrow and the Carlton Hotel in Tralee, Co Kerry on Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Admission is free.
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