According to Dr Steven Bratman, who coined the term “orthorexia” in 1997, the answer is yes and no. Unfortunately, there is no hard and fast answer to this question.
If taken on a surface value, people with orthorexia want to be pure (in the food they choose to consume) while people with anorexia want to be thin. However, it appears that the distinction between anorexia and orthorexia is thinning (excuse the pun) out.
That said, there are still some definite distinctions between anorexia and orthorexia:
Anorexia is often hidden but orthorexia is often flaunted.
The general consensus in our society is that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are looked down upon. Anorexia sufferers try to hide their disordered thoughts and behaviours from other people. There are a number of reasons of why anorexia sufferers do that, such as they are worried of being found out. Another likely reason could be because they are scared of being forced to stop their disordered eating habits and made to “get fat” – which is of course the last thing anorexia sufferers want to become.
On the other hand, orthorexia is openly flaunted. Perhaps it’s because orthorexia often has a “moral” component to it where those who follow a food dogma or “eat clean” consider themselves more pure and better than others who don’t eat like them. Praises from others such as “I wish I could eat as healthy as you!” and “If only I could have your willpower!” often unwittingly spur on this mindset.
It’s not a surprise really, in a society where we are constantly being told that obesity is on the rise and that our generation is unhealthier than before, any attempts at taking up a healthier diet are often encouraged and celebrated.
Generally speaking, anorexia oppose calories, orthorexia oppose chemicals/”uncleanness”
So that is to say a person suffering from anorexia would not eat a Big Mac because it is calorie-dense and would exceed his/her calories intake for the day. He/she would not eat a Big Mac because it would make him/her fat.
But a person suffering from orthorexia would not eat a Big Mac because the meat patty is not organic and probably made with chemicals while the bread has gluten and all kinds of nasties. He/she would not eat a Big Mac because it is unhealthy.
This example, admittedly, is a rather hasty generalisation but you get the gist.
However, both disorders put food as a primary place in one’s life
“It [orthorexia and anorexia] all amounts to much the same thing: a form of disordered eating in which food is given far too prominent a place in one’s life” – Dr Steven Bratman
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses. One thing both anorexia and orthorexia sufferers have in common is an unhealthy fixation with food. Whether one is avoiding specific food groups (such as sugar, carbs or fruits) because it is not deemed to be “healthy” enough or simply to be thin, the obsessive management of the role food plays in one’s life is simply detrimental to one’s mental and physical health.
Snapshot: Eating disorders in Australia
By National Eating Disorders Collaboration (NEDC)
Not sure if you are just being health conscious or bordering on being orthorexic? Here’s a helpful list of symptoms to help you identify.
READ THIS NEXT: Why orthorexia is more than just a first world problem
Do you have any questions about orthorexia? Ask them in the comments below!
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These issues are so important and really need to be addressed! Thanks for posting such an interesting and informative article!
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This blog gives such an insightful perspective on something that exists in today’s society, yet seems to slip under the radar as what could be the start of a life threatening eating disorder. Such an important message you are sending out. Sure we should all try to eat healthy, but not to the point of obsessing over every meal.
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