ISSA Nutritionist Practice Exam

Which behavior is characterized by an unhealthy preoccupation with eating healthy or properly?

1. Disordered eating

2. Orthorexia

3. Binge eating

4. Intuitive eating

The correct answer is: Orthorexia

The behavior characterized by an unhealthy preoccupation with eating healthy or properly is orthorexia. This term refers to an obsession with food quality and purity, where individuals feel an overwhelming need to eat only foods that they deem to be healthy and may go to great lengths to avoid anything they consider unhealthy, often leading to restrictive eating patterns. Those with orthorexia may become stressed or anxious about food choices, which can negatively impact their social lives and overall well-being. In contrast, disordered eating encompasses a broader range of unhealthy eating behaviors that may not be as specifically focused on the perceived quality of food as orthorexia. Binge eating involves recurrent episodes of consuming large quantities of food with a sense of loss of control, while intuitive eating promotes a healthy relationship with food by listening to hunger cues and allowing for a variety of foods without guilt. Thus, orthorexia is distinct in its specific fixation on healthfulness and can lead to significant harm.