By Dr. Francesca Fanolla
In the millennium in which macrobiotic cuisine and organic rice cakes reign supreme, replacing the now out of fashion ham sandwiches, it is not at all difficult to notice - especially in environments where body care and well-being become the main objective (gyms, wellness centers, beauty centers, etc.) - a particular category of people who cannot be defined as either anorexic or bulimic.
The term Orthorexia derives from the Greek "orthos"(healthy, correct) and"orexis"(hunger, appetite); it was coined in 1997 by the British nutritionist Steven Bratman, who first diagnosed this particular eating disorder on himself. He became aware of some of his extreme eating behaviors that, due to the their repetitiveness and abnormal rigidity resulted in something definitely pathological. Currently this disorder is not yet recognized as a psychiatric (alimentary) pathology, as are anorexia and bulimia, so it is not included in the DSM (Diagnostic and Static Manual of Mental Disorders).
However, the now evident frequency of subjects united by eating behaviors "unregulated in the" excessive rule ", makes this phenomenon one of the ailments that best represent the social discomfort of the spasmodic pursuit of physical perfection, or of the" general hypochondria towards everything that can be "contaminated" by any component not considered "natural" or "good".
But who is the orthorexic? Very simple: the one who is literally obsessed with the chemical-biological composition of foods, as well as the caloric component in terms of fat and sugar, the one who wastes hours in supermarkets by spasmodically comparing product labels in desperate search for the "more dietary or healthier" one, the one who deprives himself without remorse, but rather with great gratification for his "consistency", of dinners and outings with friends, even the classic Sunday pizza or the birthday party of the best friend, terrified from the possibility of having to eat something that does not fit into one's impeccable eating style. The topic that is most dear to the orthorexic, the one that gives the input to the actual pathological behavior, concerns, in addition to the caloric intake, the suppository harmfulness of adjuvant products in agriculture (pesticides, etc.), the presumed toxicity of metal alloys used in the production of cookware and catolame, the abuse of plastic materials in food preservation, the potential danger of microwave ovens, and the organoleptic damage to the same foods caused by freezing or certain types of cooking.
Personally, I often chat with people who are certainly orthorexic, especially in the gym, where, in fact, the perfection of nutrition goes hand in hand with the obsession for training and with the phenomenon of bigorexia (already described in another article of mine).
I believe that the "ancient Latin phrase"In medio stat virtus"it is also very valid in the food sector, where unfortunately, both for ignorance and for superficiality and laziness, wrong information is undermined or that is received incorrectly and at one's own convenience.
The strangest and most shocking thing is the paradox of some situations I encounter frequently, such as that of the heavy smoker who fills himself with antioxidant supplements or organic and absolutely healthy foods, with the illusion of finding in them an elixir of long life, or those who, punctually, amuse themselves in rivers of alcohol every weekend but daily chew only green vegetable leaves or fruit and vegetables because "in harmony with a" healthy "lifestyle" ...
Incoherence and inconvenience aside, it is the social aspect, in addition to the physical one, that is worrying, since always a table set for a special event, whether it is a wedding, Christmas or a simple New Year's Eve dinner with colleagues. , represents an "opportunity to be together, to discuss, to relate. In short, food and "eating" have always represented a very important factor of cohesion and social participation. Factor that is categorically excluded and cut off from the orthorexic, who would never compromise in order not to transgress his dietary rule.
As with anorexia, everything starts in a natural way, apparently right, that is to want to control the diet in order to prevent chronic diseases, or lose weight or simply improve the general state of health, or even to support a training program. that aims at building a fit body, whether it is the hypertrophic one of the bodybuilder or the toned but harmonious and dry one of a dancer. The substantial difference between orthorexia, bulimia and anorexia is that the attention, in the first, is directed exclusively to the quality of the food, rather than to the quantity, as happens for the other two pathologies mentioned.
Unfortunately, the step from a correct and healthy diet to a purely psychological pathology is often very short. Extreme and very dangerous cases occur especially when it comes to developing adolescents, who need more than ever "foundation" foods for bone calcification, muscle building, metabolic settlement etc ... or, even worse , when it comes to pregnant women who deprive themselves of basic foods for the nourishment and health of the unborn child and who then refuse to breastfeed or give the newborn milk powder, because they are convinced that there are potentially chemical principles in them harmful.
Unfortunately, this too, in my opinion worrying, reality is often confused with fortitude in following the chosen lifestyle, because this is what it is, given that the eating style inevitably ends up flowing into the social life of the individual. .
I believe it is necessary that each of us, with regard to the phenomenon of "orthorexia - but also to others of more common frequency, such as obesity, cholesterol, anorexia, bulimia, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc ... - must be informed about very simple but fundamental rules for proper nutrition, which as we all know is the basis of well-being. It is not difficult at all, nor a peculiarity of graduates or experts in the sector, given the vastness of articles, texts, magazines and websites available for anyone who wants to know what to eat and how to eat, dedicate to your own care even just 10 minutes a day reading or providing good information.
Attention, prevention and, why not, consistency and stiffness in following a diet are extremely useful, as long as it is "really" healthy and correct, after information and medical consultation and as long as the individual is not weakened, he is in the same well-being that he so longs for. , both in the social life of which he is and must be a part to consider himself a healthy person to all intents and purposes.
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