Orthorexia Nervosa and Body Image

Abstract

The term orthorexia nervosa (ON) describes a “condition” characterised by a pathological fixation with healthy eating and proper nutrition. Differently by anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa, the primary concern is not the quantity of food consumed, but the quality of food. The definition of ON and the characterisation of diagnostic criteria is still under debate. Although body image dissatisfaction is not required at the moment for the diagnosis of ON, the discussion is going on, and this particular concern has been proposed among the possible diagnostic criteria or specifiers.