Prevalence of Orthorexia Nervosa in a sample of italian young adults.

Abstract: There is only limited epidemiological information on Orthorexia Nervosa; the aim of the present study is, therefore, to assess the prevalence of ON in a population of young adults and to identify possible specific features and eventual psychopatological dimensions. 1317 participants (732 females and 585 males; mean age 22.36 yrs) completed a battery containing the orthorexia measure (ORTHO-15), statements about demographic characteristics as well as physiological parameters. The mean ORTO-15 score was 31.89; considering the cut-off of 40 in the reference test, our results showed a 11.9% prevalence of ON. Analyzing the characteristics of the orthorexic group, the prevalence in females compared to males appears to be statistically very significant (115 vs 43; 72.8% vs 27.2%); moreover shows higher and statistically significant scores in each of the 15 items of the reference test compared to the non-orthorexic group. Our data confirming that ON might be a relevant and potentially underestimate phenomenon in the community. Further studies are warranted in order to explore the diagnostic boundaries of this syndrome, its course and outcome, and the possible therapeutic strategies.

The relationship between orthorexia nervosa and cyberchondria levels in nurses: A cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the relationship between orthorexia nervosa and cyberchondria levels among nurses. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 399 nurses through face-to-face interviews. The data were collected using a participant information form, the Cyberchondria Severity Scale, and the Orthorexia Nervosa-11 scale (ORTO-11). RESULTS: The mean score of the nurses' cyberchondria severity scale was 73.95 ± 18.53, while the mean score of the Orthorexia Nervosa-11 scale was 28.23 ± 4.76. In the study, a low negative correlation was found between the cyberchondria and orthorexia nervosa levels (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The increase in the level of cyberchondria among nurses increases the risk of orthorexia nervosa. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses receive proper nutritional education and psychosocial support to reduce their tendency towards orthorexia nervosa and cyberchondria.

Body appreciation predicts lower levels of orthorexia nervosa symptoms: Prospective findings.

Recent evidence shows that negative body image may be a potential risk factor for symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (ON). However, whether positive body image plays a protective role against symptoms of ON remains unclear. Although prior research has established associations between body appreciation (a core component of positive body image) and ON symptoms, this research is limited to cross-sectional designs, precluding inferences of temporal precedence. Thus, the present study overcomes this limitation by testing whether body appreciation prospectively predicts ON symptoms. Data were analysed from 1253 adult women (M age = 34 years (SD = 9.4), 81.3% Caucasian) who completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) and Body Appreciation Scale 2-Short Form (BAS2-SF) at baseline (T1) and at three-month follow-up (T2). Multiple linear regressions were used to test whether body appreciation scores at T1 predicted ONI subscale scores (behaviours, emotions, and impairments) at T2. Results revealed that higher body appreciation scores at T1 significantly predicted decreased scores on each ONI subscale at T2, though effect sizes were small. Findings provide preliminary evidence that body appreciation may protect against ON symptoms. If replicated, efforts to address ON symptoms may be enhanced by promoting body appreciation.

Mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students.

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the mediating effect of psychological distress and mindful eating behaviors between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy among Lebanese university female students. METHODS: A total of 769 female participants enrolled in this cross-sectional study (mean age 21.58 ± 3.20 years). A self-administered questionnaire was distributed among university female students. The questionnaire consisted of Mindful Eating Behaviors Scale, ORTO-R, Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, and Arabic version of Academic Self-Efficacy Scale. RESULTS: The results showed that psychological distress fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less psychological distress (ß= -0.31, p =.05), with more psychological distress significantly associated with lower academic self-efficacy (ß= -0.32, p =.09). Focused eating fully mediated the association between orthorexia nervosa and academic self-efficacy; higher orthorexia nervosa was significantly associated with less focused eating (ß=-0.09, p =.04), with more focused eating significantly associated with better academic self-efficacy (ß = 1.40, p =.10). Orthorexia nervosa was not directly associated with academic self-efficacy in both models. CONCLUSION: This study shed light on important connections between orthorexia nervosa, psychological distress, mindful eating behaviors, and academic self-efficacy within the Lebanese context. The findings will have practical implications for both educational institutions and healthcare providers striving to support young female adults' overall well-being and academic success.

Evaluation of the recipient and donor in organ transplantation in terms of orthorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to evaluate recipients and donors undergoing organ transplantation in terms of orthorexia nervosa. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The population of the study consisted of individuals over the age of 18 who were donors or recipients undergoing organ transplantation at the Organ Transplantation Centre of Research-Application Hospital of Gaziantep University in Turkey (n=74). A questionnaire consisting of 3 parts was used as a data collection tool. While the first part includes questions that ask socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and constitute the independent variables of the study (21 questions), the second and third parts include the Orthorexia Nervosa-15 (ORTO-15) and the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-40), respectively. RESULTS: Based on the cut-off point of the ORTO-15 scale, it was determined that while 78.4% (n=58) of the participants were normal in terms of orthorexia nervosa, 21.6% (n=16) were orthorexic. In terms of the cut-off point of EAT-40, 37.8% (n=28) of the participants did not have an eating disorder and 62.2% (n=46) suffered from an eating disorder. The ORTO-15 mean ranks were high in those who were females (p=0.035), were suffering from chronic diseases (p=0.002), did not consume fast food (p=0.004), were making arrangements before eating their daily meals (p=0.018), and were doing regular physical activity (p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, it was determined that those who were females, were suffering from chronic diseases, were making arrangements before eating their daily meals and were doing regular physical activity showed a more orthorexic tendency. It is recommended for healthcare professionals to determine the orthorexic tendency level of patients, who are female, suffer from chronic diseases, adhere to a regular diet and do a regular physical activity, and evaluate the whole patient group in terms of eating disorders while healthcare professionals conduct early diagnosis screenings of the patients (recipient/donor) in the organ transplantation process or referring them.

Overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 30 476 individuals from 18 countries.

Background: To date, no previous meta-analysis has determined the overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms on a global scale. The aim of the present study was 2-fold: first, to establish the overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms on a global scale, assessed with the ORTO-15 questionnaire; and second, to determine the role of sex, type of population, mean age, body mass index, and the temporal trend in relation to orthorexia nervosa symptoms. Methods: Four databases were searched (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews) with date limits from January 2005 to June 2023. Studies assessing the proportion of orthorexia nervosa assessed using the ORTO-15 questionnaire with a cutoff of <35 or <40 points were included in this review. Results: The overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms (using the cutoff <35 points) was 27.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) = 23.5-31.6, I2 = 97.0%). In addition, no significant differences were observed between females (34.6%, 95% CI = 29.5-39.8, I2 = 96.1%) and males (32.1%, 95% CI = 26.5-38.1, I2 = 93.1%). According to the type of population, the highest overall proportion was found in people focused on sports performance or body composition (34.5%, 95% CI = 23.1-47.0, I2 = 98.0%). Notwithstanding, caution should be exercised in interpreting this result, as reverse causality could be a potential pitfall in this relationship. Conclusions: We found that approximately three out of 10 study participants showed orthorexia nervosa symptoms according to the ORTO-15 tool. This overall proportion was higher in those participants who were athletes or fitness practitioners. Over the years, the proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms seems to be increasing. These high percentages and their increase are worrisome from a public health perspective and highlight the need to develop psychometric instruments to aid in clinical diagnosis and treatment efficacy. Registration: PROSPERO (CRD42022350873).

Turkish Version of the New Instrument for Orthorexia Nervosa-Test of Orthorexia Nervosa (TON-17): A Validity and Reliability Study.

This study aimed to adapt the Test of Orthorexia Nervosa- (TON-17) into Turkish and verify its validity and reliability. The study included 539 adults with a mean age of 30.2 ± 12.26 years. A reliability analysis was performed, along with a confirmatory factor analysis to test its construct validity. The time-invariance of the scale was examined by test-retest analysis, and its convergent validity was evaluated by a correlation analysis conducted to test the relationships between the scale and Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Obsessive Beliefs Questionnaire-9. Analyses were conducted using SPSS Version 28 and the AMOS-24 software. The Cronbach's α internal consistency coefficient of the total scale was found to be 0.82, suggesting a strong internal consistency. The Cronbach's α values of its factors were 0.68 for the "control of food quality", 0.64 for the "fixation on health and a healthy diet", and 0.73 for the "disorder symptoms". In addition, the test-retest reliability was found to be 0.87 for the total scale, suggesting excellent reliability. Most of the fit indices (CMIN/df, RMSEA, AGFI, NFI, and TLI) of the scale were acceptable, and the GFI indicated a good model fit. This study shows that the Turkish version of TON-17, which is a new tool with a three-factor structure to evaluate orthorexia, is a valid and reliable scale.

Transtornos alimentares: vivências de mulheres acima de 30 anos / Eating disorders: experiences of women aged over 30 years / Trastornos alimentarios: experiencias de mujeres de más de 30 años

O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender como mulheres adultas (acima de 30 anos) diagnosticadas com transtornos alimentares (TAs) vivenciam o adoecer. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, descritivo e exploratório, desenvolvido com base no referencial teórico-metodológico da Análise Fenomenológica Interpretativa (AFI). Participaram seis mulheres, com idades entre 34 e 65 anos, atendidas em um serviço especializado. Os dados foram coletados por meio de entrevista aberta, de inspiração fenomenológica, na modalidade remota. As entrevistas foram audiogravadas, transcritas e analisadas seguindo os passos da AFI. Duas categorias temáticas foram identificadas: "Vivendo antes do adoecer" e "Encontrando-se doente." Constatou-se que os sintomas tiveram início anteriormente à vida adulta e que houve dificuldade na confirmação do diagnóstico. Na perspectiva das participantes, conviver com a sintomatologia ficou mais complicado em função de particularidades de manejo dos sintomas na vida adulta, e a idade é percebida como um fator que impacta e dificulta ainda mais a recuperação. As participantes relataram desesperança em relação ao futuro, apesar de a maioria reconhecer melhoras no quadro clínico ao longo do tempo e de valorizar a relação de confiança estabelecida com a equipe multiprofissional.(AU)

This study aimed to understand the experience of illness of adult women (over 30 years) diagnosed with eating disorders (ED). This is a qualitative, descriptive, and exploratory study, using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) as theoretical and methodological framework. A sample of six women aged 34-64 years, assisted in a specialized service, were recruited to complete a phenomenological in-depth open interview. The data were remotely collected. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed and analyzed following the IPA. Two thematic categories were identified: "Living before the illness" and "Finding about the illness." It was found that the symptoms started before adulthood and that there was difficulty establishing the diagnosis. Living with the symptoms became more complicated due to particularities of symptom management in adulthood and age is perceived as a factor that impacts recovery and makes it even more difficult. The participants reported hopelessness about the future, although most recognized improvements in the clinical condition over time and valued the trusting relationship they established with the multiprofessional team.(AU)

El objetivo de este estudio fue comprender las experiencias de las mujeres adultas (mayores de 30 años) diagnosticadas con trastornos alimentarios (TA) respecto a la enfermedad. Se trata de un estudio cualitativo, descriptivo y exploratorio, desarrollado a partir del marco teórico y metodológico del Análisis Fenomenológico Interpretativo (AFI). Participaron seis mujeres, con edades de entre 34 y 65 años, atendidas en un servicio especializado. Los datos se recogieron mediante entrevistas abiertas, de inspiración fenomenológica, en la modalidad a distancia. Las entrevistas fueron grabadas en audio, transcritas y analizadas siguiendo los pasos del AFI. Se identificaron dos categorías temáticas: "Vivir antes de enfermar" y "Encontrarse enfermo." Se constató que los síntomas comenzaron antes de la edad adulta y que hubo dificultades de establecer el diagnóstico. La convivencia con síntomas se complicó debido a las particularidades del manejo de los síntomas en la vida adulta y la edad se percibe como un factor que influye y dificulta aún más la recuperación. Los participantes manifestaron desesperanza sobre el futuro, aunque reconocieron mejoras en el cuadro clínico con el paso del tiempo y valoraron la relación de confianza establecida con el equipo multiprofesional.(AU)

Grupo multifamiliar em transtornos alimentares durante a primeira onda da pandemia de covid-19: transição para a modalidade online / Multifamily group on eating disorders during the first wave of the covid-19 pandemic: transitioning to the online modality / Grupo multifamiliar de trastornos alimentarios durante la primera ola de la pandemia de la covid-19: transición a la modalidad en línea

As restrições impostas pela pandemia de covid-19 levaram os serviços de saúde a reorganizarem seu funcionamento, ajustando-se à modalidade remota. A transição repentina e sem o devido preparo técnico impôs desafios adicionais para usuários e profissionais. Para aprimorar as estratégias assistenciais, torna-se imprescindível dar voz aos usuários dos serviços, para que narrem suas experiências e possam manifestar suas facilidades e dificuldades com essa passagem. Este estudo tem como objetivo investigar como os principais cuidadores familiares de pessoas com transtornos alimentares vivenciaram a transição do grupo de apoio para o formato remoto e identificar vantagens e desvantagens percebidas nesse modelo. Estudo clínico-qualitativo, exploratório, realizado em um serviço de atendimento especializado de um hospital terciário. O cenário investigado foi o grupo de apoio psicológico aberto a familiares que, desde o início da pandemia de covid-19, passou a ser oferecido na modalidade online. Participaram do estudo cinco mães e três pais presentes em 13 sessões grupais consecutivas. Entrevistas individuais foram aplicadas com a Técnica do Incidente Crítico logo após o término de cada encontro grupal, totalizando 26 entrevistas audiogravadas, transcritas e submetidas à análise temática. A transição para o online foi vivenciada pelos participantes como um recurso válido para permitir que o grupo funcionasse em tempos de grave crise sanitária. Como vantagens, foram mencionadas: a continuidade do cuidado, maior acessibilidade e facilidade em relação à logística da participação. Como limitações do formato online, foram destacadas: nem todos os familiares contam com conexão de internet de qualidade e possível dificuldade para manusear a tecnologia digital. Apesar dos desafios impostos pela súbita mudança para a modalidade online, na perspectiva dos usuários do serviço os esforços de adaptação foram bem-sucedidos, possibilitando a continuidade do cuidado à saúde mental.(AU)

The constraints imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic led health services to reorganize their operation, adjusting to the online modality. The sudden and unprepared technical transition has imposed additional challenges for both users and professionals. To improve care strategies, it is essential to give voice to services users, so that they can narrate their experiences and express their facilities and difficulties with this transition. This study aims to investigate how main family caregivers of people with eating disorders experienced the transition of the support group to the remote modality and to identify perceived advantages and disadvantages in this model. This is a clinical-qualitative, exploratory study carried out in a specialized care service of a tertiary hospital. The investigated setting was the psychological support group open to family members, which since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has been offered online. Five mothers and three fathers who attended 13 consecutive group sessions participated in the study. Individual interviews were carried out with the Critical Incident Technique shortly after the end of each group meeting with all members, totaling 26 audio-recorded interviews. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Transition was experienced as a valid resource to maintain the group active in times of a severe health crisis. As advantages of the remote modality were mentioned: continuity of care, greater accessibility, and ease in relation to the logistics of participation. As limitations of the online format were highlighted: not everyone has a good-quality connection to the internet, and difficulty in handling the digital technology. Despite the challenges imposed by the sudden shift to the online modality, from the service users' perspective the adaptation efforts were successful, enabling continuity of mental health care.(AU)

Las limitaciones que impuso la pandemia de la COVID-19 llevaron a los servicios sanitarios a reorganizar su funcionamiento adaptándose a la modalidad remota. El súbito cambio y sin la preparación técnica adecuada implicó retos adicionales a los usuarios y profesionales. Para mejorar las estrategias de atención es fundamental dar voz a los usuarios de los servicios, para que puedan narrar sus experiencias y expresar sus facilidades y dificultades con esta transición. Este estudio pretende investigar cómo han vivido los cuidadores de personas con trastornos alimentarios la transición del grupo de apoyo presencial al formato remoto e identificar las ventajas y desventajas percibidas en este modelo. Se trata de un estudio clínicocualitativo, exploratorio. El escenario investigado fue el grupo de apoyo psicológico abierto a los familiares en la modalidad en línea. Cinco madres y tres padres participaron en 13 sesiones de grupo consecutivas. Se realizaron entrevistas individuales con la técnica de incidentes críticos inmediatamente después de cada reunión del grupo, con un total de 26 entrevistas grabadas en audio, transcritas y sometidas a análisis temático. La transición a la red fue experimentada como un recurso válido para permitir que el grupo funcione en tiempos de crisis sanitaria grave. Las ventajas de la modalidad remota fueron conexión segura en tiempos de confinamiento físico, continuidad, mayor accesibilidad y facilidad en relación con la logística de la participación. Las limitaciones del formato en línea fueron la falta de una conexión de calidad a Internet y la posible dificultad de manejo de la tecnología digital. A pesar de las dificultades impuestas por el cambio repentino a la modalidad en línea, desde la perspectiva de los usuarios del servicio los esfuerzos de adaptación fueron un éxito, lo que permitió seguir con la atención de salud mental.(AU)

Dismorfia Muscular Prediz Dependência de Exercício e Ortorexia em Praticantes de Exercício Brasileiros? / Does Muscle Dysmorphy Predict Exercise Dependence and Orthorexia in Brazilian Exercise Practitioners? / ¿La Dismorfia Muscular Predice la Dependencia del Ejercicio y la Ortorexia en los Practicantes de Ejercicio Brasileños?

O estudo analisou o papel preditor dos sintomas de dismorfia muscular na dependência de exercícios e na ortorexia em 158 praticantes de exercício brasileiros (corrida = 38, crossfit = 85, musculação = 35) de ambos os sexos (mulheres = 81, homens = 77), com idade média de 31,59 anos (± 7,99) e experiência de 4,5 anos (± 5,27). Utilizou-se a Escala de Dedicação ao Exercício, o Questionário para o Diagnóstico de Ortorexia e o Questionário Complexo em Adonis. A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio da correlação de Pearson e de análise de regressão múltipla (p < 0,05). A dismorfia muscular prediz positivamente a dependência de exercícios (ß = ,51, p < ,001) e negativamente a ortorexia (ß = -,19, p < ,01), sendo importante discutir a temática com praticantes de exercícios físicos a fim de minimizar a prevalência e os efeitos deletérios associados a esse distúrbio psicológico

This study aimed to analyze the predictive role of muscle dysmorphia symptoms in exercise addiction and orthorexia in 158 Brazilian exercise practitioners (running = 38, crossfit = 85, bodybuilding = 35) of both sexes (women = 81, men = 77), with a mean age of 31.59 years (± 7.99) and experience of 4.5 years (± 5.27). The Dedication to Exercise Scale, the Questionnaire for the Diagnosis of Orthorexia, and the Complex in Adonis Questionnaire were used. Data analysis was conducted through Pearson's correlation and multiple regression analysis (p < .05). It was found that the muscle dysmorphia symptoms predicted positively exercise addiction (ß = .51, p < .001) and negatively orthorexia (ß = -.19, p < .01), and it is important to discuss the issue with physical exercise practitioners in order to minimize the prevalence and deleterious effects associated with this psychological disorder.

O estudo analisou o papel preditor dos sintomas de dismorfia muscular na dependência de exercícios e na ortorexia em 158 praticantes de exercício brasileiros (corrida = 38, crossfit = 85, musculação = 35) de ambos os sexos (mulheres = 81, homens = 77), com idade média de 31,59 anos (± 7,99) e experiência de 4,5 anos (± 5,27). Utilizou-se a Escala de Dedicação ao Exercício, o Questionário para o Diagnóstico de Ortorexia e o Questionário Complexo em Adonis. A análise dos dados foi conduzida por meio da correlação de Pearson e de análise de regressão múltipla (p < 0,05). A dismorfia muscular prediz positivamente a dependência de exercícios (ß = ,51, p < ,001) e negativamente a ortorexia (ß = -,19, p < ,01), sendo importante discutir a temática com praticantes de exercícios físicos a fim de minimizar a prevalência e os efeitos deletérios associados a esse distúrbio psicológico.

Association between the bi-dimensional aspect of orthorexia and healthy behaviors among lebanese adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Recently, there has been a blooming focus on "eating healthy and clean", with the ideal of being healthy becoming a popular lifestyle trend. Previous research suggested the presence of two forms of orthorexia: Orthorexia Nervosa (OrNe) and Healthy Orthorexia (HeOr). Taking into consideration that orthorexia thoughts are led by the desire to reach an optimal physical health, the dedication to a healthy living may require healthy lifestyle habits: smoking cessation, moderate alcohol intake, and increased physical activity. The main study aim was to determine, among Lebanese adolescents, the association between healthy behaviors and the two likely forms of orthorexia (OrNe and HeOr), given that the adolescent phase is a risky period in the development of eating disorders. METHODS: A cross-sectional study, conducted between January and April 2022, enrolled 444 adolescents aged between 14 and 18 years, with an equitable random sample from all the Lebanese governorates (mean age 16.23 ± 1.15 years; 60.1% females). The Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) was used to assess orthorexic eating tendencies. The Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Scale, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test scales, all validated in adolescents, were used to evaluate the association between orthorexia and healthy behaviors. RESULTS: Higher TOS OrNe scores were significantly and highly correlated with the TOS HeOr scores (r = 0.68; p < 0.001). In the bivariate analysis, waterpipe smoking was weakly but significantly associated with more OrNe, whereas more physical activity was significantly and moderately associated with more HeOr. After adjusting over all sociodemographic characteristics, other behaviors and the other dimension of orthorexia, more alcohol use disorder was significantly but strongly associated with higher OrNe, whereas more physical activity remained significantly associated with higher HeOr. CONCLUSION: In light of our results, OrNe and HeOr might be considered as different entities, mainly in their associations with alcohol consumption and physical activity. This supports the hypothesis of OrNe being a new form of eating disorder, whereas HeOr possibly showing protective characteristics. Orthorexia is still a topic of controversy, especially in the probable presence of two facets that are still difficult to differentiate.

Orthorexia symptoms and disordered eating behaviors in young women with cancer.

OBJECTIVE: A cancer diagnosis can motivate people to modify behaviors believed to influence prognosis or recurrence risk, including their eating habits. Orthorexia is a type of disordered eating that involves an extreme fixation on healthy eating. The current study examined: 1) the presence of orthorexia symptoms and disordered eating behavior in young adult women with cancer; 2) factors associated with orthorexia and disordered eating behaviors; and 3) the type and frequency of eating behavior changes made following cancer diagnosis. METHODS: Young adult women with cancer participated in an online survey. The Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale measured orthorexia symptoms and the Eating Habits Questionnaire assessed disordered eating behaviors. Fear of cancer recurrence, body image satisfaction, intolerance of uncertainty, internet use, and eating habit changes were also assessed. RESULTS: Of participants (N = 93), 36.7 % scored in the clinical range for orthorexia symptoms. A greater perceived knowledge of nutrition was related to higher cancer-related body image dissatisfaction (p = .03) and more years of education (p = .001). Approaching statistical significance (p = .05) were a positive correlation between intolerance of uncertainty and orthorexia symptom severity, a positive correlation between fear of cancer recurrence and problems associated with eating habits, and a negative correlation between internet use and positive emotions associated with healthy eating habits. Overall, 44.1 % of young adult women changed their eating habits since their cancer diagnosis and 69.9 % intended to in the next year. CONCLUSIONS: Young adult women with cancer show elevated orthorexia symptoms and disordered eating behaviors, which are associated with potentially modifiable psychosocial factors.

Connecting a health-focused self-concept with orthorexia nervosa symptoms via fear of losing control over eating unhealthy food and disgust for unhealthy food.

PURPOSE: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) involves a maladaptive preoccupation with healthy eating through strict dietary rules that negatively affect physical and mental health. Recent evidence suggests that ON symptoms may stem, in part, from having a health-focused self-concept (i.e., overvaluing the importance of health for self-definition and self-worth). Herein, fear of losing control over eating unhealthy foods and disgust for unhealthy foods were examined as potential mediators of the association between health-focused self-concept and ON symptoms. METHODS: The parallel mediation model was tested using a community sample of people who believe they are currently following a healthy eating diet plan and/or believe they are leading a healthy eating lifestyle (N = 442). Participants were recruited from Amazon's Mechanical Turk and completed a questionnaire battery that included the Health-Focused Self-Concept Scale, questionnaires assessing fear of losing control over eating unhealthy food and disgust with unhealthy food, and the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory. RESULTS: As expected, a health-focused self-concept was indirectly and positively associated with ON symptoms via fear and disgust. CONCLUSION: The findings conceptually replicate and extend prior research on anorexia nervosa supporting the transdiagnostic utility of a focused self-concept, fear of losing control, and disgust across eating disorders. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Translation and validation of the Chinese version of the orthorexia nervosa assessment questionnaires among college students.

PURPOSE: The main objective of the study was to translate, validate, and compare the Chinese ORTO scales (ORTO-15 and ORTO-R). The secondary objective was to assess factors that may be related with risk of orthorexia nervosa (ON). METHODS: Two cross-sectional surveys were conducted on March-to-June 2021 for ORTO-15 and April 2022 for ORTO-R. ORTO questionnaires were translated into Chinese using the forward-backward-forward method. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA), discriminant validity and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to examine the construct validity of the questionnaires. The internal consistency was assessed using the Cronbach alpha coefficient and the test-retest reliability. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore potential factors related with ON scores. RESULTS: Totally, 1289 and 1084 eligible participants were included for assessment of ORTO-15 and ORTO-R, with the mean age of 20.9 ± 2.0 years and 21.0 ± 2.3 years. The internal consistency of Chinese ORTO-15 scale and ORTO-R scale were both satisfactory (α = 0.79, ICC = 0.79; α = 0.77, ICC = 0.82). However, all ORTO-15 models showed a poor fit using CFA whereas the ORTO-R was characterized by acceptable goodness-of-fit. Multivariate linear regression indicated that physical activities and mental disorders were positively associated with ON risk assessed by both ORTO-R and ORTO-15. CONCLUSION: The Chinese ORTO-R scale was a more reliable tool to screen for ON tendencies than the Chinese version of ORTO-15. Mental disorders and physical activities might be associated with the increased ON risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V (descriptive cross-sectional study).

Psychometric properties of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) among a French-Canadian adult sample.

BACKGROUND: Psychometric properties of the Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) have been examined in several languages (Arabic, English, Portuguese, Spanish, and Turkish), but not in French. PURPOSE: The objective was to examine the psychometric properties of the TOS among a French-Canadian adult sample. METHODS: Participants were 296 French-speaking Canadian adults (M = 34.2 years, SD = 11.9, 85.1% women). They completed the TOS alongside with several other measures (e.g., alcoholic consumption, cigarette smoking, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors, frequency of physical activities, intuitive eating, vegetarian diet, and negative affect). RESULTS: The results supported the a priori two-factor representation (orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia) of the French version of the TOS and provided further support for the superiority of an exploratory structural equation modeling approach, relative to a confirmatory factor analytic approach. Furthermore, the results supported no differential item functioning as a function of respondents' characteristics (age, body mass index, diagnosis of eating disorders, frequency of physical activities, gender, and vegetarian diet). Latent mean differences were found in healthy orthorexia and orthorexia nervosa factors as a function of respondents' characteristics. Finally, significant correlations were found between TOS factors and convergent measures (alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors, intuitive eating, and negative affect). CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed that the French version of the TOS has satisfactory psychometric properties (i.e., factor validity and reliability, no differential item functioning, and convergent validity). LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, cross-sectional study.

Prevalence of Orthorexia in Groups of Students with Varied Diets and Physical Activity (Silesia, Poland).

(1) Background: The literature emphasizes the role of many factors influencing the onset of eating disorders (EDs) and their mutual influence on each other. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate and compare the prevalence of orthorexic behaviors in groups of health-related and non-health-related students in terms of their differential health behaviors-diet and physical activity levels. (2) The study included 300 individuals representing two equal groups of fields of study, which for the study were called the health-related field (HRF) and the non-health-related field (NRF). (3) Results: Based on the results of the dietary assessment, it was found that the best dietary model was characterized by the HRF group; in this group, 97.2% of students were characterized by a very good and good dietary mode. The NRF group, on the other hand, was dominated by a sufficient dietary mode for 64.4% of all cases in this group (94 people), while the dietary model marked as "good" was less popular, at 24.6% of this group (36 people). (4) Conclusions: Based on the cited self-research and information from the literature, it can be concluded that the problem of orthorexia is still a new issue at the level of social sciences, medical sciences, and health sciences. The psychometric tools used in this study allowed us to demonstrate the prevalence of the aforementioned eating disorders in the sample groups of students.

The relationship between orthorexia nervosa, anxiety, and self-esteem: a cross-sectional study in Turkish faculty members.

BACKGROUND: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) may be a disorder on the spectrum of obsessive-compulsive disorders, maybe a separate eating disorder, or it may be an eating disorder on the spectrum of other eating disorders. We aimed to explore how anxiety and self-esteem affect the orthorectic tendency among higher-educated groups. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted on 248 faculty members selected by stratified sampling method from Ondokuz Mayis University in Samsun, Turkey. Data were collected by face-to-face interview method using Ortho-15, Rosenberg self-esteem, and Beck Anxiety scales. RESULTS: The study group consisted of 144 (58.1%) males and 104 (41.9%) females, and the mean age was 42.5 ± 6.3 years. We found a tendency for orthorexia nervosa in 47 (19%) participants. The mean scores were 41.0 ± 2.6 for the Ortho-15 scale, 0.7 ± 1.2 for the Self-esteem scale, and 5.9 ± 5.8 for the Beck Anxiety Scale. Self-esteem scores were low, and anxiety scores were high in participants who tended to orthorexia (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that the high self-esteem scores decrease the orthorectic tendency, while high anxiety scores increase the tendency. CONCLUSIONS: We found a significant relationship between anxiety, low self-esteem and orthorexia nervosa. This result can be considered as a preliminary finding leading to further research. Further clinical and longitudinal studies are needed to determine the characteristics of individuals with orthorexia nervosa and identify the cause and effect relationship with psychiatric comorbidities.

Orthorexia Nervosa and Disordered Eating Attitudes, Self-Esteem and Physical Activity among Young Adults.

A relation between Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) and increased frequency of physical activity has been put in evidence by recent studies. It is well known that intense physical exercises are typically related to eating disorders, but its relationship with ON is still a subject of debate. Other transdiagnostic features could be necessary to conceptualize and understand ON; in this way, low self-esteem is related to eating behavior but is not still extensively investigated in ON, and, to date, data are so heterogeneous that they do not allow us to understand if this is a psychological feature somehow associated with ON. The current study aimed to assess whether disordered eating attitudes, self-esteem, and physical activity are associated with ON in young adults from Poland and Italy. Moreover, we investigated the differences by comparing lower and higher ON levels related to disordered eating attitudes, self-esteem, and physical activity. Our results indicated that a great concern about dieting significantly predicted problems associated with healthy eating, knowledge about healthy eating, and feeling positive about healthy eating. In addition, young adults with a high level of ON demonstrated higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and vigorous-intensity physical activity than young adults with a low level of ON. Future studies are needed to assess the direct effect of physical activity and self-esteem on ON.

Orthorexia nervosa and executive dysfunction: symptomatology is related to difficulties with behavioral regulation.

PURPOSE: This research explored whether orthorexia nervosa is associated with deficits in executive function. METHODS: A non-clinical sample of participants (n = 405; 80% women, 53% white, mean age = 24, mean body mass index = 25) completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory (ONI) and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Adult version (BRIEF-A). RESULTS: ONI scores were weakly to moderately correlated with all BRIEF-A scales (p < 0.001 for eight scales, p < 0.05 for one scale), exhibiting the greatest correlations with the scales assessing behavioral regulation: Emotional Control (r = 0.34), Inhibition (r = 0.30), Set Shifting (r = 0.25), and Self-Monitoring (r = 0.28). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that eight of these nine relationships remained significant (p < 0.001 for five scales including all behavioral regulation scales, p < 0.01 for two scales, p < 0.05 for one scale) after controlling for demographic variables (e.g., gender, body mass index, age, education level) and diagnoses of an eating disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism, and learning disability. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, despite unique manifestations, orthorexia and anorexia may possess an overlapping neuropsychological profile marked by deficits in executive function, which may negatively impact daily life. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.