Adopting a healthy lifestyle is one of the most popular New Year’s resolutions. However, according to Dr Nikolett Bogár, a PhD student researching eating disorders at the Institute of Behavioural Sciences at Semmelweis University, how we approach it is crucial.
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an addiction to eating “pure” foods. Although first described in 1997, the condition remains debated by most experts, positioned somewhere between eating and obsessive-compulsive disorders.
Its main characteristic is that affected individuals focus on food quality rather than quantity, only consuming foods they deem healthy. However, these choices are often entirely subjective and not necessarily nutritionally adequate.
If someone eats only certain types of food – for example, fish, vegetables, green foods, raw items, or exclusively carbohydrate-free dishes – they can just as easily develop nutrient deficiencies as those with eating disorders. They don’t consume enough vitamins, minerals, protein or carbohydrates,”
explains Dr Bogár. The likelihood of developing an obsession with healthy eating is even higher in certain professions and social groups.
In a groundbreaking international study published in Eating and Weight Disorders – Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, Semmelweis researchers were the first to investigate the prevalence of healthy eating addiction among fashion models.
The questionnaire-based study found that over 35% of female models exhibited signs of ON. Similarly, over 20% of the control group, consisting primarily of young university students, also showed susceptibility to this type of addiction.
“Our research included questions about the positive emotions associated with healthy eating. 95% of both groups (models and control) scored high on this aspect, indicating that healthy eating has become a societal norm, much like the slim beauty of the past decades. Linked to the widely accepted and celebrated concept of a healthy lifestyle, ON often remains hidden,” adds Dr Bogár, who was a fashion model for five years before gaining a pharmacology degree.
Warning signs of ON include being so committed to healthy eating that it negatively impacts other areas of life. For example, individuals might organise their lives and activities around dietary rules, skip social gatherings such as Christmas parties or family dinners, or experience stress when eating routines are disrupted.
Previous studies suggest that orthorexia nervosa is more common among individuals with higher incomes and is closely linked to social media use.
Early signs of inadequate nutrient intake include hair loss, brittle nails, missed menstrual cycles, fatigue, or lethargy. In severe cases, the obsession with healthy eating can lead to clinical eating disorders such as anorexia or bulimia.
Dr Bogár emphasises that eating is not just a source of nutrients but a social and cultural event, especially during the festive season and the following weeks. Cooking with friends or dining out has emotional value beyond its functional purpose. Therefore, it’s crucial not to categorise foods as strictly good or bad, and eating should not become a form of self-punishment.
“Aim for a long-term, balanced diet rather than an ultra-clean one in January. Occasionally indulging in chocolates or holiday treats should be part of your diet – without guilt,” advises the expert.
Photo: Nikolett Bogár; Cover photo (illustration): Envato Elements – Farknot
