The state of knowledge of Ortorexia Nervosa

In the international scientific literature, the concept has been described as an unhealthy fixation and preoccupation with consuming only foods that the individual perceives as pure, natural and healthy. The pursuit of health then may become rigid and anxiety-driven, which can limit everyday life. Compulsive exercise is not included in ortorexi nervosa. There is a lack of specific criteria of ortorexia nervosa. It is also not a psychiatric diagnosis according to international classifications of diseases, and some of the behaviours characterized as ortorexia nervosa overlap with existing diagnoses such as obsessive-compulsive disorder and anorexia nervosa.

The review of the scientific literature also shows that there is no specifically developed instruments to assess ortorexia nervosa with reliable diagnostic ability.

It is also not possible to draw any conclusions about the effects of preventive and therapeutic interventions of ortorexia nervosa. In conclusion, the state of knowledge regarding ortorexia nervosa is unclear.