Orthorexia is a form of disordered eating first coined by Dr. Steven Bratman in 1997. It describes an obsession with eating “clean” and healthy foods to a degree that causes physical and emotional harm. The term orthorexia comes from the Greek words ortho, meaning “correct”, and orexis, meaning “appetite”. Unlike bulimia or anorexia, individuals with orthorexia care more about the quality of their food intake rather than the quantity, and are not pursuing weight loss.

While incorporating nutrient-dense foods and having a balanced diet can support overall health, orthorexia goes far beyond that. Individuals with orthorexia may experience distress and anxiety towards food choices, eliminate food groups without a medical reason, isolate themselves from social settings due to strict food rules, and have extreme fear or guilt after eating foods they consider “unhealthy”. This control and obsession towards food begins to take over their entire life. Individuals with orthorexia may experience difficulties maintaining close relationships, keeping up with school or work-related tasks, and attending social gatherings that involve food. 

There is no single, concrete cause of orthorexia among individuals. Instead, different factors can contribute to the development of orthorexia, including heavy use of social media, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, and gastrointestinal disorders. Although orthorexia is not recognized as an official eating disorder in the DSM-5-TR, the Newport Institute suggests that between 1% and 7% of people struggle with orthorexia, the most common groups being, athletes, college students, vegans, and healthcare professionals. Orthorexia is a complex mental health concern that can lead to serious health consequences if left untreated. However, recovery from orthorexia is absolutely possible to achieve over time. A good first step towards recovery is seeking help from a mental health professional. Recovery can help individuals with orthorexia create a balance between nourishing the body and enjoying foods without restriction or guilt.

Article written by: Adriana Kirakosyan “My name is Adriana Kirakosyan and I have a deep love for learning and engaging with different mental health topics. I received my Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology from University of California, San Diego in June 2026, and I will continue my education by pursuing a master’s degree in the near future.”