Healthy eating has become increasingly popular in recent years, partly due to the influence of social media; it has moved beyond the concept of “health” to become part of popular culture and fashion trends. The influence of popular culture has made healthy eating more visible and widespread; however, while it offers benefits, flexibility, and balance, it also comes with harm, strict rules, social pressure, and anxiety. In other words, its popularity raises awareness but also increases the risk of it turning into a fixation.
Healthy eating is only truly considered “healthy” as long as it supports our physical and psychological well-being. When this attitude reaches an obsessive level, meaning spending excessive time thinking about food ingredients, cooking methods, or even kitchen utensils, it can undermine an individual’s psychological well-being.
What Is Orthorexia / Healthy Eating Fixation?
Orthorexia, also known as a healthy eating fixation, is characterized by a fixation on consuming only “correct” and “clean” foods. Over time, this condition can lead to psychological and social effects such as restricted social relationships, academic and economic problems, time management issues, anxiety, and obsessive thoughts, as well as physiological consequences due to malnutrition (Strahler, 2020; Donini vd., 2004, 2005; Moroze vd., 2015).
Excessive preoccupation with eating behavior and spending more than three hours a day sourcing natural or organic ingredients or planning meals is considered an indicator of Orthorexia / healthy eating fixation; as a result, for orthorexic individuals, the taste, variety, or pleasurable aspects of food take a backseat, while the healthiness, nutritional value, and quality of food come to the forefront (Koven & Abry, 2015; Andreas vd., 2018; Dunn & Bratman, 2016; Mutluer, 2022).
As described, food selection in orthorexic individuals is geared toward healthy and natural foods. Food selection is not based on calorie counting or weight loss goals (Dunn & Bratman, 2016). The healthy eating fixation shows similarities to anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa in terms of perfectionism, body image, and attachment style (Barnes & Caltabiano, 2017). However, compared to individuals with AN and BN, they do not follow a strict diet to look beautiful. The goal here is to consume healthy foods with a balanced diet.
Psychological And Physiological Symptoms
The individual may experience intense distress and disgust alongside foods they consider unhealthy, feel anxiety due to the thought of consuming unhealthy foods, feel pressure to control their diet, and experience obsessive thoughts and compulsions as a result of intense preoccupation with healthy eating in both thought and behavior. Social withdrawal may be observed, and feelings of loneliness and dissatisfaction may accompany the social isolation experienced. Physiological symptoms may also be observed due to selective eating and malnutrition (Dunn & Bratman, 2016; Mutluer, 2022; Mutluer & Yılmaz, 2023).
Cultural And Social Dimension
In orthorexic individuals, withdrawal from family or social circles may be observed depending on their eating habits. This can be explained as an adjustment problem, as it may lead to social isolation due to the breakdown of social relationships (Alvarenga vd., 2012; Mutluer, 2022; Mutluer & Yılmaz, 2023).
The healthy eating fixation seen in individuals is strongly linked to today’s social and cultural dynamics. This behavior is not merely an individual preference, but also a phenomenon fueled by social media, diet culture, and modern society’s processes of identity construction through the body.
On platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube, “clean eating” content idealizes healthy living, triggering obsessive behaviors, particularly among young people. Fitness and health influencers reinforce these trends by presenting their lifestyles as normative models, while the industry turns products labeled “organic,” “gluten-free,” or “sugar-free” into status symbols. Thus, consumption is associated not only with health but also with identity and social belonging; individuals may define themselves as “pure,” “disciplined,” or “superior,” leading to distance and isolation in social relationships.
In summary, social media trends, the normative pressure exerted by influencers, the marketing strategies of the diet industry, and modern society’s practices of constructing identity through the body create an ecosystem that feeds this fixation. Thus, healthy eating becomes not only a biological necessity but also an indicator of social status, identity, and belonging.
Conclusion
Healthy eating is beneficial when maintained through balance and variety rather than strict rules. Flexibility supports both psychological and social well-being. However, when this behavior reaches an obsessive level and negatively impacts an individual’s life functioning, social relationships, or mental health, it is important to seek psychological counseling and/or the support of a nutritionist. Healthy living should not restrict an individual’s freedom; when eating behavior begins to complicate daily life, the intended benefit gives way to harm.
Reference
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