An “orthorexic society”: The role of psychological flexibility in responding to healthy eating pressures

In some countries, public health policies and social networks are contributing to making people more responsible for their own health by promoting healthy eating. This context of “healthism” has witnessed the development of orthorexia nervosa. Described as an eating disorder based on an obsession with healthy eating, orthorexia nervosa is not yet included in diagnostic manuals. A central issue in the study of orthorexia is how it differentiates from other eating disorders and how to identify it among the growing number of healthy diets. Flexibility seems to be relevant for distinguishing between the adaptive and pathological forms of adherence to eating habits perceived as healthy. In this respect, psychotherapeutic interventions linked to flexibility are a promising path to support people with orthorexic symptoms, regardless of disorder categorization. Flexibility could also be integrated into the way dietary recommendations are devised, in order to promote the overall physical, psychological and social health.