Orthorexie How a healthy diet in some becomes the disease

Eating Disorder Orthorexia: Healthy eating can also be unhealthy
More and more people are looking for a balanced diet. Although this is generally welcome, in some people the craving for the healthiest meal becomes obsessive. Experts then talk about the eating disorder "Orthorexia".

Healthy food can become an obsession
More and more people pay close attention to what foods they eat. Some of my wholegrain makes us healthier, others swear by the best sources of protein. Still others rely more on so-called "clean eating" without processed foods, on vegan food or the Paelo diet, with which one can lose weight through stone-age food. When one's own healthy diet becomes a constant compulsion, experts speak of the eating disorder orthorexia.

Wholefood, Organic, Sugar Free: More and more people are looking for a healthy diet. For some, the desire for it becomes pathological. Experts then talk about the eating disorder orthorexia. (Image: Printemps / fotolia.com)

No recognized disease picture
In the jargon, the eating disorder is referred to as "Orthorexia nervosa". Although this is not a recognized clinical picture, it says: "Orthorexia is synonymous with a disease-related disorder that should not be confused with a healthy diet. Rather, it is a compulsive dealing with supposedly healthy food, "said Christa Roth-Sackenheim, chairman of the Professional Association of German Psychiatrists (BVDP) in a message from the news agency dpa. "Affected sometimes set very bizarre rules, which is considered healthy for them. There are basically no limits to the imagination. "

Quality of food in focus
Although orthorexia has been described in the scientific literature for more than 15 years, there are hardly any reliable research results so far. It is known that in orthorectic eating behavior, the quality, so the selection of certain foods is in focus. In contrast, anorexia or bulimia focus on the amount of food consumed.

According to Prof. Anette Kersting, director of the Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychosomatic Medicine and Psychotherapy at the University of Leipzig, orthorexia may be the beginning of an eating disorder. "Orthorectic eating behavior is a risk factor for anorexia or bulimia. Studies show that eating behaviors often occur at the beginning or after a treated eating disorder, "said the expert, according to the news agency.

Especially women affected
According to the information, especially women are affected. "The motives can be very individual: fear caused by food scandals, the desire to live sustainably or alleged disease prevention," reported Martin Greetfeld, a specialist in psychiatry and psychotherapy on his experiences with those affected in the Schön Klinik Roseneck in Prien am Chiemsee.

"Often, orthorexia is a side symptom of depression or anxiety disorder. The altered eating behavior is used to counteract the feeling of meaninglessness or loss of control in one's own life, "said Roth-Sackenheim.

Orthorexia often remains unrecognized for a long time
If the altered eating habits result in physical or social impairments, or if the patients suffer from them, then orthorexia is in need of treatment. But: "As with anorexia patients, there is little insight in orthorexia that their own eating habits are harmful," says Kersting.

Therefore, orthorectic eating behavior often remains undetected for a long time, according to Roth-Sackenheim. "Many sufferers go to the doctor only if they get side effects of their malnutrition, for example, insomnia, skin problems or general exhaustion."

Recognize and treat early
As stated in the dpa message, successful treatment is hampered by the ideological component of orthorexia. "Affected people are sometimes very afraid that the therapy makes them sick. The path to a normalized eating behavior is then particularly difficult, "explained Greetfeld.

Kersting turned to family and friends of vulnerable people: "The transition from healthy food as a virtue to morbid behavior is fluid. Those affected can hardly judge this. The environment is also in demand here. "The chances are that a restrictive eating behavior will not cause an eating disorder in the long term. The prerequisite for this is that the problem is recognized and dealt with at an early stage. (Ad)