Are some people more “vulnerable” to orthorexia than others?
Yes. There appear to be some groups that are more vulnerable than others. Those with OCD tendencies and control issues. Also, some at-risk groups are those in the pre-pubertal age range. Selective eating (eating a narrow range of food) and pervasive refusal syndrome (refusal to eat, drink or perform self care) are just two disordered eating patterns recognized in the pre-pubertal group. Taken to extremes or coupled with anxiety, depression or other emotional disorder may lead some to orthorexia. The other at-risk group may be children with autism. Some autistic children are at an inherit risk for developing disordered eating patterns because of the autism itself.
