Orthorexia Nervosa: A Pathological Pursuit of Healthy Eating

A BSTRACT In recent years, there has been an increasing recognition of the complex connection between mental well-being and eating patterns, leading to the emergence of a condition referred to as orthorexia nervosa (ON). ON is described by a marked fixation on eating habits and adherence to self-imposed rigorous and unyielding regulations. These regulations include devoting an inordinate amount of time to the planning, acquiring, cooking, and/or consuming of food leading to diverse consequences on an individual’s physical, mental, and social welfare. Nevertheless, ON does not have official recognition in the latest editions of the DSM-5-TR or ICD-10. This has sparked a debate regarding the categorization of ON as an independent psychiatric disorder. We conduct a comprehensive analysis of published studies and empirical investigations to examine the frequency of ON across various groups and demographic variables. Furthermore, the research investigates a range of risk variables that contribute to the emergence of orthorexia behavior, including psychological, cultural, and social impacts. Moreover, the study explores the existing methods of therapy, such as psychoeducation, cognitive behavior therapy, mindfulness-based acceptance and commitment therapy, and nutritional counseling, to tackle the complex features of ON.