Friday, March 6, 2009: 3:45 PM-5:15 PM
Barcelona (Westin Long Beach)
This workshop will explore the concept of Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), a coined phrase referring to an obsessive focus on healthful eating (& living). Discussion will encompass the similarities & differences between ON and diagnostic eating disorders, if & when ON becomes dangerous, & how to effectively treat ON. Case studies & group discussion will be an important aspect of this workshop.
Orthorexia Nervosa: An Unhealthy Focus on Healthful Eating
Amanda Mellowspring, MS,RD,LD
I. Defining Orthorexia Nervosa
a. Background
b. Phraseology
c. Variations
II. Similarities to Diagnostic Eating Disorders
a. Anorexia Nervosa
i. Case examples
b. Bulimia Nervosa
i. Case examples
c. ED-NOS
i. Case examples
III. Differences between ON & Diagnostic Eating Disorders
a. Anorexia Nervosa
b. Bulimia Nervosa
c. ED-NOS
IV. Prevalence of ON
a. Children
b. Athletes
c. Medical Diagnoses / Survivors
d. Males
V. Treating ON
a. Recognizing
b. Understanding
c. Nutrition Approach
Orthorexia Nervosa: An Unhealthy Focus on Healthful Eating will familiarize the concept of Orthorexia Nervosa as both a variation of diagnostic eating disorder behaviors and explore the potential for Orthorexia Nervosa to stand alone, as a diagnosis of eating disordered behavior. Discussion will be both didactic & experiential, including case studies & group feedback. This workshop is an opportunity for professionals to explore the concept of ON without dedication to its use or acceptance for diagnostic purposes. Peer-reviewed research & popular culture references will be introduced & discussed. Discussion will include recognizing & treating ON, similar to and differently than traditional eating disorder approaches. A particular emphasis noted in literature on the prevalence of ON among males will be discussed. Recognition & treatment approaches for nutrition professionals will be emphasized.
Primary Presenter:
Amanda C. Mellowspring, MS, RD, LD
Amanda Mellowspring is a registered dietitian specializing in eating disorder recovery. Amanda has a varied background in nutrition, having earned a BS in Foods & Nutrition from Appalachian State University & an MS in Whole Food Nutrition from Bastyr University. She also completed her Dietetic Internship in Seattle, WA through Bastyr University, the only school in this country with both a focus on complementary alternative medicine, whole foods nutrition, & approved by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Amanda has specific interest in work related to Orthorexia Nervosa & has devoted writing, research, & presentations to this topic area. Amanda has worked in a variety of settings, including residential treatment, college health, & tribal health. Amanda currently maintains her private practice as Eat from the Earth Nutrition Counseling, LLC & serves as the Clinical Nutrition Coordinator for Cedar Springs Treatment Center of Austin.
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