Orthorexia, though not yet a formally recognized mental health diagnosis, is characterized by an obsessive or pathological preoccupation with “healthy” eating, often involving rigid dietary rules and an extreme focus on food purity. This fixation can lead to significant emotional distress when self-imposed dietary standards are violated, as well as serious medical and psychosocial impairments, including malnutrition and social isolation. While diagnostic criteria remain debated, core features include an intense focus on “clean” eating and its associated health consequences.
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