101704: Orthorexia Nervosa

About the Course:

Webinar from the 2009 International Association of Eating Disorders Professionals Symposium.
Note: For this course there is a small additional fee to obtain the webinar. Please see the “Get Course Materials” link in the right sidebar for details.

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.

Content Outline:
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

Author

Amanda C. Mellowspring, MS, RD, LD (presenter)

About the Author:

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.

Recommended For:

This course is recommended for health care professionals, especially psychologists, therapists, and counselors who seek to update their research knowledge and competency in treating patients with eating disorders, increase and acquire new skills, learn new intervention strategies, and obtain continuing education credits. It is appropriate for professionals at all levels of knowledge.

Course Objectives:

1. After this presentation, participants will be able to note similarities between ON & diagnostic eating disorders.

2. After this presentation, participants will be able to note when a focus on healthful eating becomes dangerous.

3. After this presentation, participants will be able to define Orthorexia Nervosa.