To Steward Your Temple…

“Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit lives in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 In today’s world, there’s increasing emphasis on personal care. There’s now more ways to groom ourselves; the term, “metrosexual” even describes men who pay attention to this level of detailed grooming. All manner of waxing, shaving, manicures and pedicures now exists between both sexes. 1 Corinthians 3:16, in the name of this all important personal care issue, has been paraphrased as we are repeatedly told our bodies are temples.

Yes, they are. And we are told the benefit of being good stewards: “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” Luke 16:10 When it comes to our bodies, the benefit of that stewardship is good health, strength and, of course, feeling good. So, yes, fitness and nutrition are important. That involves regular exercise and healthy eating. But even those good practices can be overdone. When it becomes obsessive or compulsive behavior and thought, hallmarks of disordered eating, it then goes from healthy to harmful. There are a wide variety of eating disorders out there; anorexia and bulimia are the mostly widely known and reported. However, one of the more recently discovered of these disorders is that of “orthorexia.” Orthorexia Symptoms and Effects What are the Signs and Symptoms of Orthorexia? Orthorexia is the term for a condition that includes symptoms of obsessive behavior in pursuit of a healthy diet. Orthorexia sufferers often display signs and symptoms of anxiety disorders that frequently co-occur with anorexia nervosa or other eating disorders. A person with orthorexia will be obsessed with defining and maintaining the perfect diet, rather than an ideal weight. She will fixate on eating foods that give her a feeling of being pure and healthy. An orthorexic may avoid numerous foods, including those made with: • Artificial colors, flavors or preservatives • Pesticides or genetic modification • Fat, sugar or salt • Animal or dairy products • Other ingredients considered to be unhealthy Common behavior changes that may be signs of orthorexia may include: • Obsessive concern over the relationship between food choices and health concerns such as asthma, digestive problems, low mood, anxiety or allergies • Increasing avoidance of foods because of food allergies, without medical advice • Noticeable increase in consumption of supplements, herbal remedies or probiotics / macrobiotics • Drastic reduction in opinions of acceptable food choices, such that the sufferer may eventually consume fewer than 10 foods • Irrational concern over food preparation techniques, especially washing of food or sterilization of utensils Similar to a woman suffering with bulimia or anorexia, a woman with orthorexia may find that her food obsessions begin to hinder everyday activities. Her strict rules and beliefs about food may lead her to become socially isolated, and result in anxiety or panic attacks in extreme cases. Worsening emotional symptoms can indicate the disease may be progressing into a serious eating disorder: • Feelings of guilt when deviating from strict diet guidelines • Increase in amount of time spent thinking about food • Regular advance planning of meals for the next day • Feelings of satisfaction, esteem, or spiritual fulfillment from eating "healthy" • Thinking critical thoughts about others who do not adhere to rigorous diets • Fear that eating away from home will make it impossible to comply with diet • Distancing from friends or family members who do not share similar views about food • Avoiding eating food bought or prepared by others • Worsening depression, mood swings or anxiety What are the Effects of Orthorexia? Orthorexia symptoms are serious, chronic, and go beyond a lifestyle choice. Obsession with healthy food can progress to the point where it crowds out other activities and interests, impairs relationships, and even becomes physically dangerous. When this happens, orthorexia takes on the dimensions of a true eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia. One effect of this drive to eat only the right foods (and perhaps only in the right ways) is that it can give a person with orthorexia a sense of superiority to others. This can put a strain on relationships with family and friends, as relationships become less important than holding to dietary patterns. Maintaining an obsession with health food may cause a restriction of calories merely because available food isn't considered to be good enough. The person with orthorexia may lose enough weight to give her a body mass index consistent with someone with anorexia (i.e., less than 18.5). If the dietary restrictions are too severe, malnutrition can result. In rare cases, particularly in the case of women with unaddressed co-occurring disorders or another addiction, orthorexia may result in severe malnutrition and weight loss, which can cause cardiac complications or even death. How are Anorexia Nervosa and Orthorexia Similar? Orthorexia is a term with varying levels of acceptance in the eating disorder treatment community. Some eating disorder specialists regard orthorexia as a discrete diagnosis like anorexia nervosa or bulimia nervosa. Others, however, believe that patients with orthorexia symptoms are actually suffering from anorexia. Sufferers of orthorexia and anorexia may show similarities such as: • Desire to achieve control over their lives through control of food intake • Seeking self-esteem and spiritual fulfillment through controlling food intake • Citing undiagnosed food allergies as rationale for avoiding food • Co-occurring disorders such as OCD or obsessive compulsive personality disorder • Elaborate rituals about food that may result in social isolation How are Orthorexia and Anorexia Nervosa Different? Obsession with weight is one of the primary signs of anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders, but is not a symptom of orthorexia. Instead, the object of the orthorexic's obsession is with the health implications of their dietary choices. While a person with anorexia restricts food intake in order to lose weight, a person with orthorexia wants to feel pure, healthy and natural. The focus is on quality of foods consumed rather than quantity. Signs and symptoms of eating disorders must be evaluated in the context of a person's feelings, emotions, and self esteem. It's crucial to seek appropriate clinical advice from a professional with experience treating orthorexia, anorexia and other psychiatric conditions. The obsessive tendencies associated with orthorexia can indicate a co-occurring disorder that should be diagnosed and treated by a psychiatrist. www.timberlineknolls.com See yourself here? If anything is consuming your thoughts, energy, time and resources, to the point of causing negative results which impact your life, it has crossed the line. Think about this scripture: “Let all things be done decently and in order.” 1 Corinthians 14:40 Now think of the word eating disorder. If the behaviors and habits are extreme and causing anxiety, it is disordered. God can help us; He tells us He will: “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go: I will guide you with My eye.” Psalm 32:8 And, we need to realize our lives, our habits and behaviors will never be 100% perfect. Yes, there will be junk food and other less than healthy choices out there. But we’re not to be ruled by them, to be anxious about them. “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” 1 Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.” 1 Corinthians 6:12 Remember that as you focus on caring for your temple. Stewardship does not require perfection; I believe it requires looking for God’s guidance, wisdom and help. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5