“Orthorexia Nervosa” is best defined as a set of extremely rigid and obsessive eating behaviors, often aligned with a focus on health. A clinical term that has not officially made its way into the DSM as a psychiatric diagnosis, Orthorexia may have significant implications for adolescents/young adults and their families [often manifesting in malnourishment, loss of relationships, and poorer quality of life].

This presentation will take attendees through the disordered eating continuum and examine the position of Orthorexia, where “clean eating” goes too far. The training will explore the impacts of social media, pervasive “wellness trends”, and family and school cultures’ effects on adolescents'/young adults' understandings of health and nutrition. Attendees will learn to be aware of, and able to identify, when an  adolescent/young adult presents with concerning food beliefs and othorexic tendencies. 

Tools that professionals can utilize, including new research from Renfrew’s Unified Treatment Model, will be provided 

so that attendees can provide evidence-based support to adolescents and young adults facing these concerns.