Health officials warn that orthorexia and vigorexia can turn strict diets and intense exercise into serious physical and mental health problems, with early specialist care often unavailable.
The State of Mexico and Municipal Workers’ Social Security Institute, known as ISSEMyM, has warned that orthorexia and vigorexia can damage the physical and mental health of teenagers and young adults, particularly when social media feeds unrealistic ideas about food and body image. The institute said both conditions can distort eating habits, self-perception and social relationships.
Ana Isabel Mercado Bernal, a psychologist at the Lázaro Cárdenas outpatient clinic, said constant exposure to idealised diets and appearance standards online can intensify anxiety about the body and about food. Orthorexia refers to an obsessive focus on eating only foods seen as healthy, often without professional guidance, while vigorexia is linked to a distorted view of one’s body and a persistent drive to gain muscle mass.
According to ISSEMyM, citing Mexico’s National Health and Nutrition Survey, the risk of serious eating disorders stands at 1.6 per cent among the country’s adolescent population. The institute also said an estimated 1.8 million young people may be at risk, yet fewer than 180,000 would receive timely specialist care.
Mexico’s Health Ministry has repeatedly stressed the importance of spotting warning signs early, especially in adolescents and young adults, and has identified eating disorders as a major public health concern. In its public guidance, the ministry says these conditions often overlap with depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, and it has called on parents and carers to pay close attention to emotional changes, eating patterns and exercise routines.
Mercado Bernal said treatment may require coordinated care from doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists and nutrition specialists. She urged families to look out for sudden changes in eating habits, excessive exercise and withdrawal from social situations, adding that early intervention can reduce the risk of complications and help tailor care to each patient’s needs. ISSEMyM also urged beneficiaries to visit their registered clinic if they notice warning signs, and said appointment information and clinic locations are available through its website.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
