Text Link

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Learn more about the results we get at Within

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

What causes orthorexia nervosa?

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an eating disorder that is characterized by an obsession with “healthy” eating. People with orthorexia nervosa may restrict themselves to only eating what they consider “pure” or “clean” foods by cutting out all processed foods or entire food groups.13

Eating a variety of food, even those that aren't so nutritious, is part of a balanced and healthy diet and mindset. The need to micromanage everything that goes into your body—even for the sake of health—can lead to psychological distress, as well as serious medical complications.13

As with all eating disorders, orthorexia nervosa doesn’t have a single cause. Instead, when asking, "What causes orthorexia nervosa?" it's important to acknowledge the different biological, behavioral, and social factors that contribute to its development.

7
 minute read
Last updated on 
December 9, 2024
December 9, 2024
Orthorexia nervosa
In this article

Biological orthorexia causes

Many orthorexia nervosa causes are related to genetic or biological factors that can influence diet, psychological perspective, and other issues that can lead to the condition.

Digestive issues
History of eating disorders

Psychological orthorexia nervosa causes

Like other eating disorders, orthorexia causes can also be related to psychological health. As a mental health disorder, orthorexia nervosa is particularly tied to these factors.

Health anxiety
Personality and cognitive traits
History of anxiety and depression
Poor body image

Environmental orthorexia causes

Orthorexia causes can exist outside of the individual, as well. Someone's environment can have many influences on the way they deal with stress, the types of trauma they experience, and the kind of support they may have access to, which can all play roles in eating disorder development.

History of trauma
Having certain careers
Social media obsession
Societal pressure

Treatment of orthorexia nervosa

There are many orthorexia causes, and treatment for the condition must be equally diverse, including care for mental and physical health. No specific method has been determined for ON treatment, but several therapeutic interventions can help.

Overall, the goal of treatment is to create a healthy relationship with food and not concentrate on the perceived health value of food. Challenging the flawed dietary theory of those with orthorexia can help them adopt a more flexible eating plan, as well as challenge their misconceptions that certain foods are not “pure” or “clean.”

A multidisciplinary team, including dietitians, physicians, and psychotherapists, will devise a treatment plan based on a person’s individual needs. Therapies can include:

Partners and family members of those with orthorexia nervosa can also benefit from attending support groups, where they, too, can discuss their concerns and better understand the condition.

While there are no medications designed specifically to treat orthorexia nervosa, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine or paroxetine, can be a very effective treatment to manage accompanying mood disorders. Plus, nutritional supplements may be recommended to combat any deficiencies.

Get help for orthorexia nervosa

Seeking help for an eating disorder can be daunting. Each individual will need support, compassion, and empathy. Within Health offers virtual care programs for anyone dealing with an eating disorder like orthorexia nervosa. Call our team today to learn about our clinical superior care.

Call us today

Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.

Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.

Resources

  1. Childhood abdominal pain may be linked to disordered eating in teenagers. (n.d.) University of Oxford. Accessed July 2024.
  2. Gajdos, P., Román, N., Tóth-Király, I., et al. (2021). Functional gastrointestinal symptoms and increased risk for orthorexia nervosa. Eating and Weight Disorders, 27, 1113-1121.
  3. Barnes, M. A., & Caltabiano, M. L. (2017). The interrelationship between orthorexia nervosa, perfectionism, body image and attachment style. Eating and Weight Disorders, 22(1), 177–184.
  4. Koven N, Abry A. (2015). The clinical basis of orthorexia nervosa: emerging perspectives. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2015(11), 385-394. 
  5. Yılmaz H, Karakuş G, Tamam L, Demirkol ME, Namlı Z, Yeşiloğlu C. (2020). Association of Orthorexic Tendencies with Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms, Eating Attitudes and Exercise. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment, 2020(16), 3035-3044.
  6. McComb, S. E., & Mills, J. S. (2019). Orthorexia nervosa: A review of psychosocial risk factors. Appetite, 140, 50–75.
  7. Eating disorders, trauma, and PTSD. (n.d.) National Eating Disorders Association. Accessed July 2024.
  8. Varga, M., Dukay-Szabó, S., Túry, F., & van Furth, E. F. (2013). Evidence and gaps in the literature on orthorexia nervosa. Eating and Weight Disorders, 18(2), 103–11.
  9. Turner, P. G., & Lefevre, C. E. (2017). Instagram use is linked to increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa. Eating and Weight Disorders, 22(2), 277–284.
  10. Newman, V. (2020). Co-Occurring Eating Disorders and Orthorexia Nervosa. In: Evans Y.N., Dixon Docter A. (eds) Adolescent Nutrition. Springer, Cham.
  11. Bratman, S. (2017). Orthorexia vs. theories of healthy eating. Eating and Weight Disorders, 22, 381–385.
  12. Scarff, J. R. (2017). Orthorexia Nervosa: An Obsession With Healthy Eating. Federal Practioner, 34(6), 36-39. 
  13. Bulik, C. M. et al. (2019). Genetics of Eating Disorders. Psychiatric Clinics, 42(1), 59-73.
  14. Whitcomb, I. (2020). Orthorexia: Causes, symptoms and treatment. Live Science.

FAQs

Further reading

The similarities between anorexia nervosa and orthorexia

Anorexia nervosa (AN) and orthorexia nervosa (ON) can often be confused with each other due to the similar...

The relationship between orthorexia and bulimia

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a more recently acknowledged disorder. While yet to be recognized by the DSM...

What causes orthorexia nervosa?

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an eating disorder that is characterized by an obsession with “healthy” eating.

Orthorexia treatment plan

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a serious eating disorder that can be very tricky to detect, as...

What are the warning signs of orthorexia nervosa?

Striving to follow healthy eating habits is a good thing. But being obsessed with the nutritional quality...

What is orthorexia nervosa?

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is one of the least-studied eating disorders, but it's a condition that...

8 orthorexia symptoms: Physical and behavioral concerns

A balanced diet can improve your physical, mental, and emotional health. But when healthy eating turns into...

Further reading

No items found.