Friday, March 23, 2012: 10:40 AM-12:10 PM
Yellow Topaz (The Charleston Marriott)
Sometimes well-meaning, health conscious individuals follow a path toward personal transcendence that leads to a dangerous end. This pursuit of righteous eating may masquerade as anorexia nervosa; yet, has distinct features that warrant investigation. This presentation explores the origination of orthorexia, treatment interventions, pitfalls by providers and cultural impact.
I. Where Did It All Begin?
A. Defining orthorexia nervosa
1. Background
2. Dr. Steven Bratman
B. Other Terms
1. Kitchen Spirituality, Cuisine Dysfunction, Food Worship
2. Dietary Religion
C. Similarity/difference to an eating disorder
D. Other Considerations
1. ON and OCD
2. ON and social isolation
3. ON and children
4. ON and addiction
II. Treatment of ON
A. Awareness
B. Self-Test
C. THE STEPS
D. Understanding why
1. Illusion of Total Safety
2. Desire for Complete Control
3. Covert Conformity
4. Searching for Spirituality in the kitchen
5. Food Puritanism
6. Creating an Identity
7. Fear of Social Interaction
E. Nutrition Approach
F. Pitfalls by Providers
1. Complimenting healthy eating
2. Giving credence to fads, trends, myths
3. Promoting label reading, hyper-vigilence, fears
4. Prescribing diets
5. Expecting too much too soon
III. Cultural Impact
A. Our dieting nation
B. How did we get here? Where did we go wrong?
C. The Antidote: Health At Every Size
1. What is HAES?
2. 5 Tenets of HAES
D. Popular Media
IV. Case Study
V. Question/Answer
Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a term coined by Dr. Steven Bratman from his book,
Health Food Junkies: overcoming the obsession with healthful eating. This phenomenon emerged in the past decade as those pursuing healthy eating and spiritual transcendence developed dangerous medical side effects. These side effects mimic those found in anorexia nervosa thus drawing the attention of the eating disorder community. Yet, there are distinct differences between anorexia nervosa and orthorexia nervosa. This presentation will take a thorough examination of those differences and other aspects of ON. Starting with the background and origin of ON, including Dr. Bratman's story, the reasons
why individuals pursue righteous eating will be discussed in detail. Other considerations associated with ON such as ON and OCD, social isolation, addiction and children will be reviewed. Various treatment interventions will also be presented including "The Steps" according to Dr. Bratman and examining the reasons that motivate an individual toward ON. Additionally, a conversation on common pitfalls by providers treating ON will be presented. Participants will be encouraged to share current cases, counter-transferrence issues and personal bias in this area. Finally, the presentation will include a discussion on the cultural impact of our dieting nation on ON and a possible treatment strategy as an antidote to these cultural issues. There will also be a case study presented and ample time for question/answer at the conclusion of this talk.
Primary Presenter:
Juliet N. Zuercher, RD
Zuercher is a nationally sought-after expert in nutrition and eating disorders. Zuercher has been responsible for developing some of the country’s best-known eating disorder nutrition programs, with protocols benefiting hundreds of women. A graduate of The Ohio State University, Zuercher has more than 15 years of experience in directing nutrition counseling and services, and reaching-out to the greater community as a speaker and nutrition resource. She has traveled extensively across North America presenting workshops to help educate professionals about treating eating disorders. Zuercher also has spoken extensively in the areas of nutrition intervention strategies and exposure with response prevention.
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