Orthorexia Nervosa: Eating Disorder for a Pro-health Era

This chapter examines the making of a new putative eating disorder (ED) characterized by an extreme focus on healthy eating—orthorexia nervosa (ON)—in the light of the social and medical ambiguities and disagreements around “right” food consumption and definitions of health. Beginning with the origins and recognition of ON, the chapter examines the uncertain clinical parameters and overlaps with other EDs and mental disorders. Also discussed are philosophical and sociological explanations for society’s seeming obsession with food provenance, including radical changes to food ecologies and institutional structures, neoliberal capitalism’s emphasis on self-cultivation, and the promotion of healthism as a means of diverting attention from social and economic ills. A secondary analysis of several distinct perspectives on health-conscious eating is then described and discussed featuring the following: individuals self-identifying as deeply engrossed in healthy eating practices; body-builders; professionals specializing in eating disorders; fitness instructors; and posts on eating disorder forums. By juxtaposing the narratives of those adopting varying stances regarding the intersection of health and dietary habits, insights can be gained into the sociopolitical and psychological tensions surrounding the medical labeling of health-conscious persons as troubled and misguided. Deeply rooted in sociocultural factors, ON, arguably more than any other form of “disordered eating,” reflects broader societal, political, and economic shifts and struggles.