Trastornos de la conducta alimentaria emergentes: evidencia científica sobre ortorexia, permarexia y diabulimia.

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze and synthesize the available scientific evidence on orthorexia, permarexia, and diabulimia as emerging phenomena related to eating disorders. A literature review of scientific studies published in specialized databases was conducted, considering their characteristics, associated factors, assessment, consequences, and difficulties in diagnostic delineation. The results showed that orthorexia was characterized by excessive concern about food quality and purity, accompanied by dietary rigidity, perfectionism, and a need for control, although difficulties persisted due to the heterogeneity of assessment instruments. Permarexia was associated with dietary restriction, weight concerns, body dissatisfaction, and sociocultural factors; however, specific evidence on this phenomenon was limited, and some of the findings were derived from research on related phenomena. Regarding diabulimia, deliberate insulin omission or restriction was identified as a behavior associated with weight concerns, body image, and various psychological and metabolic consequences. In conclusion, all three phenomena demonstrated clinical relevance but showed different levels of scientific support. The evidence was more consistent for orthorexia and diabulimia, whereas permarexia showed a larger research gap, highlighting the need to strengthen research, assessment, and diagnostic differentiation.