Article Version of Record

Evolutionary aspects of a new eating disorder: Orthorexia nervosa in the 21st century

Author(s) / Creator(s)

Bóna, Enikő
Túry, Ferenc
Forgács, Attila

Abstract / Description

In this theoretical study, certain characteristics of orthorexia nervosa (ON) are assessed. As a type of disordered eating, ON is characterized as pathological healthy eating obsession. By reviewing previous literature, four orthorexic traits are investigated whether they meet the conditions of becoming adaptive drivers of human behavior. First, learned neophobia to avoid “improper” foods is considered as an advantageous strategy, secondly, ON being a cohesive force based on common beliefs and its religious, virtuous characteristics is adaptive as well. The third orthorexic trait in the form of physiological consequences (refeeding syndrome, malnutrition) suggests that ON is rather a nonadaptive health behavior, along with the fourth characteristic, namely, the psychological disturbances that health anxiety may induce. To conclude, ON can be viewed as an inherently useful tool to protect one’s health by diet, but also as a phenomenon which has extreme forms causing health problems. The exact etiologies are unexplored, therefore, the psychological, social and cultural drivers of extreme healthy eating are important to understand for future improvements. In order to establish the criteria and therapeutic guidelines, it would be beneficial to collect narrative data and experiences from individuals with orthorexic tendencies.

Keyword(s)

theoretical study eating disorder orthorexia nervosa health behavior diet

Persistent Identifier

Date of first publication

2019-12-09

Journal title

Psychological Thought

Volume

12

Issue

2

Page numbers

152–161

Publisher

PsychOpen GOLD

Publication status

publishedVersion

Review status

peerReviewed

Is version of

Citation

Bóna, E., Túry, F., & Forgács, A. (2019). Evolutionary aspects of a new eating disorder: Orthorexia nervosa in the 21st century. Psychological Thought, 12(2), 152–161. https://doi.org/10.5964/psyct.v12i2.356
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Bóna, Enikő
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Túry, Ferenc
  • Author(s) / Creator(s)
    Forgács, Attila
  • PsychArchives acquisition timestamp
    2020-01-16T14:40:38Z
  • Made available on
    2020-01-16T14:40:38Z
  • Date of first publication
    2019-12-09
  • Abstract / Description
    In this theoretical study, certain characteristics of orthorexia nervosa (ON) are assessed. As a type of disordered eating, ON is characterized as pathological healthy eating obsession. By reviewing previous literature, four orthorexic traits are investigated whether they meet the conditions of becoming adaptive drivers of human behavior. First, learned neophobia to avoid “improper” foods is considered as an advantageous strategy, secondly, ON being a cohesive force based on common beliefs and its religious, virtuous characteristics is adaptive as well. The third orthorexic trait in the form of physiological consequences (refeeding syndrome, malnutrition) suggests that ON is rather a nonadaptive health behavior, along with the fourth characteristic, namely, the psychological disturbances that health anxiety may induce. To conclude, ON can be viewed as an inherently useful tool to protect one’s health by diet, but also as a phenomenon which has extreme forms causing health problems. The exact etiologies are unexplored, therefore, the psychological, social and cultural drivers of extreme healthy eating are important to understand for future improvements. In order to establish the criteria and therapeutic guidelines, it would be beneficial to collect narrative data and experiences from individuals with orthorexic tendencies.
    en_US
  • Publication status
    publishedVersion
  • Review status
    peerReviewed
  • Citation
    Bóna, E., Túry, F., & Forgács, A. (2019). Evolutionary aspects of a new eating disorder: Orthorexia nervosa in the 21st century. Psychological Thought, 12(2), 152–161. https://doi.org/10.5964/psyct.v12i2.356
    en_US
  • ISSN
    2193-7281
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12034/2322
  • Persistent Identifier
    https://doi.org/10.23668/psycharchives.2708
  • Language of content
    eng
  • Publisher
    PsychOpen GOLD
  • Is version of
    https://doi.org/10.5964/psyct.v12i2.356
  • Keyword(s)
    theoretical study
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    eating disorder
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    orthorexia nervosa
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    health behavior
    en_US
  • Keyword(s)
    diet
    en_US
  • Dewey Decimal Classification number(s)
    150
  • Title
    Evolutionary aspects of a new eating disorder: Orthorexia nervosa in the 21st century
    en_US
  • DRO type
    article
  • Issue
    2
  • Journal title
    Psychological Thought
  • Page numbers
    152–161
  • Volume
    12
  • Visible tag(s)
    Version of Record