Adherence
A high tendency for orthorexia nervosa (ON) is associated with healthier dietary choices (whole wheat, fruits, vegetables), health food store shopping, and healthy lifestyle habits (sports, low alcohol), but also with pathological behaviors including rigid scheduling, social judgment of others, and avoidance of specific food colors.
If you find yourself obsessing over food purity, judging others for their eating habits, or feeling intense anxiety when breaking dietary rules, you may be exhibiting signs of orthorexia. While your food choices might be nutritious, the psychological burden and social isolation are harmful. Focus on flexibility and enjoyment rather than rigid adherence to 'healthy' labels.
orthorexia nervosa tendency was associated not only with healthier food choices (eating more whole wheat cereals, less white wheat cereals, more fruit and vegetables) but with shopping in health food stores, as well as with some healthy lifestyle habits (more sports activity, specific dietary behaviors, and less alcohol intake). Individuals with higher orthorexia nervosa tendency also reported a greater tendency to advocate their healthy diet to their friends and family members.
Why this rating
Cross-sectional survey data with self-report bias and a potentially flawed cutoff score (74.2% prevalence suggests poor specificity).
Source
When eating healthy is not healthy: orthorexia nervosa and its measurement with the ORTO-15 in Hungary
Màrta Varga et al. · BMC Psychiatry · 2014
DOI 10.1186/1471-244x-14-59
Related findings · Adherence
- Regular physical activity (at least 150 minutes/week of moderate-intensity) reduces all-cause and cardiovascular mortality by 20-30% and lowers the risk of type 2 diabetes by 25-35%.Strong
- Increasing physical activity from a sedentary lifestyle to an active one in middle adulthood significantly reduces the risk of coronary events compared to remaining sedentary.Strong
- Resistance exercise is the only intervention capable of consistently restoring muscle function and strength in sarcopenia, partially overcoming age-related anabolic resistance.Strong
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