Orthorexia Test

The orthorexia test is a self-report instrument based on Bratman's Orthorexia Questionnaire — the original screening tool developed by Dr. Steven Bratman, who first described orthorexia nervosa in 1997. It screens for the defining features of orthorexic behavior: obsessive preoccupation with food purity and healthiness, rigid dietary rules that escalate over time, intense anxiety or guilt when those rules are broken, and functional impairment in social, occupational, or nutritional domains as a direct result of eating-related beliefs.

Why Take an Orthorexia Test

The boundary between healthy eating awareness and orthorexia nervosa is not always obvious — especially because orthorexic behavior is culturally reinforced by wellness culture and clean eating trends. A structured orthorexia assessment draws that line concretely by screening for the features that distinguish genuine health consciousness from a pathological obsession: escalating restriction, food anxiety, guilt after dietary "violations," and social isolation driven by eating rules.

An orthorexia questionnaire is used by clinicians, dietitians, and mental health professionals to identify clients whose relationship with healthy eating has become disordered and to distinguish orthorexia nervosa from other eating disorders. For individuals, results provide a validated reference point for an honest conversation with a healthcare provider about whether eating habits are serving health or undermining it.

What the Assessment Measures

• Obsessive preoccupation with food quality — the degree to which thoughts about food purity, healthiness, and "clean eating" dominate daily mental life and decision-making.
• Rigid dietary rules and escalating restriction — a pattern of increasingly strict food rules that expand over time and lead to the elimination of entire food groups without medical justification.
• Food anxiety and guilt — intense emotional distress, guilt, or self-criticism when eating rules are broken, reflecting the anxiety-driven nature of orthorexic behavior.
• Functional impairment — the extent to which eating-related beliefs have reduced social participation, interfered with daily functioning, or contributed to nutritional deficiencies through overly restrictive diets.

Who This Assessment Is For

The orthorexia test is appropriate for adults who follow strict healthy eating rules and want to understand whether their relationship with food has become obsessive or disordered. People who find themselves spending significant mental energy on food purity, avoiding social eating situations, or experiencing guilt after "impure" meals should consider completing this orthorexia assessment. Dietitians and mental health clinicians use it during intake to identify clients whose clean eating practices have crossed into orthorexia nervosa and to distinguish orthorexic patterns from anorexia nervosa or other restrictive eating disorders. Researchers studying the prevalence and correlates of orthorexia nervosa also use Bratman-based instruments as a validated screening tool. The questionnaire is straightforward — each item describes a specific belief or behavior related to healthy eating, and respondents indicate how accurately it reflects their experience.

Clinical Validity and Use in Practice

Orthorexia nervosa was first described by Bratman in 1997 and the Bratman Orthorexia Test (BOT) represents the original screening instrument in this area. While orthorexia nervosa is not yet formally recognized in DSM-5 as a distinct eating disorder, it has received substantial and growing clinical attention — particularly its overlap with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia nervosa, and anxiety disorders. Research using Bratman-based instruments consistently identifies orthorexia nervosa as a clinically meaningful pattern associated with nutritional deficiencies, social isolation, and reduced quality of life. Results of this orthorexia assessment are screening-level indicators and should be interpreted alongside clinical interview findings, dietary history, and nutritional status. If results suggest elevated risk, consultation with a healthcare professional is strongly recommended.