Orthorexia nervosa - a distorted approach to healthy eating

Consumers are increasingly reaching for food which is safe for their health. This tendency may give rise to eating disorders defined as orthorexia nervosa. The prevalence of orthorexia in society ranges from 1% to 60% and is mainly related to lifestyle. Research conducted over the last 10 years shows that the number of people facing the risk of orthorexia is increasing. People with orthorexia pay special attention to the quality of food they eat, which leads to the elimination of certain products from their diet. Dietary restrictions are accompanied by stress, anxiety and self-aversion. The study seeks to systematize the knowledge of orthorexia in light of the latest publications concerning this disorder, providing a description of psychometric tools used to diagnose orthorexia. The diagnostic questionnaires available today, which are intended to assess the risk of orthorexia, have different psychometric values, which usually makes the disorder hard to assess on a global scale. The available research tools do not sufficiently identify the boundary between an excessive interest in healthy eating and lifestyle and a real disorder that affects everyday functioning.