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orthorexia nervosa

an obsessive concern with eating a healthy or “pure” diet that is typically very restrictive and more focused on wellness than weight loss. Individuals may insist on eating only certain foods (e.g., those grown locally) or avoid certain food groups altogether (e.g., meat, eggs, dairy, wheat products), often resulting in extremely low caloric intake, risk of malnutrition, and in extreme cases, death. There is some debate about whether orthorexia nervosa is a distinct disorder or a form of anorexia nervosa or obsessive-compulsive disorder. [described in 1997 by U.S. physician Steven Bratman]

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November 23rd 2024