Perceptions of orthorexia nervosa amongst health care professionals

Abstract

A newly coined pattern of eating orthorexia nervosa (ON) has been used to describe an obsession with healthy eating. ON is characterised by strict dietary rules whereby foods considered to be ‘unhealthy’ are avoided. Albeit the desire to achieve a healthier lifestyle, ON may result in nutritional deficiencies and a reduced quality of life. This study aimed at exploring health care professionals’ (HCPs) understanding of ON. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with six HCPs including a dietician, nutritionists, psychologists and a psychiatrist. The data collected was analysed by means of thematic analysis whereby four main themes emerged: when healthy becomes unhealthy, the ego-syntonic nature of ON, seeing the bigger picture: the culture of health, and support strategies for individuals with ON. The findings suggest that orthorexic behaviours fall under the guise of ‘healthy’, but in reality may lead to various biopsychosocial implications, including the risk of developing a more serious eating disorder. Findings from this study reveal that the tendency for individuals with ON to seek help is low, making exact prevalence rates unclear. ON is a modern epidemic of times where such health practices are normalised within the current health conscious culture. Further awareness about ON amongst the professional community is required so that appropriate support measures can be offered to clients showing orthorexic tendencies. Psycho-educational directives targeting the general public can help debunk the truth about diet to ensure that healthy eating practices are not exaggerated to a point where it becomes pathological and affects daily functioning.