People it seems, have never been so afraid of their food and experts say, an obsession with healthy eating may paradoxically be endangering lives!
Someone suffering from ‘Orthorexia ‘is imprisoned by a range of rules which they impose on themselves. These self-imposed very strict rules isolate the individual from social-food gatherings and in extreme cases endanger health also!
The term ‘Orthorexia Nervosa’ was coined in 1990s. To be clear, ‘Orthorexia ‘is not interest in healthy eating but its when enthusiasm becomes a pathological obsession which leads to social isolation, psychological disturbances and even physical harm.
It is a ‘disease disguised as a virtue’, says an expert.
There is a strong debate whether the condition exists!! Orthorexia is not part of the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental health in the USA. The manual includes Anorexia Nervosa and Bulimia but not Orthorexia.
. Outside the world of clinicians thee term seems to be creeping into wider usage.
Mounting opposition to use of anti-biotics, genetically modified food and corporate farming practices are all due to this.
_Deccan herald_