Orthorexia Nervosa in Nutrition Students: Exploratory Cross-sectional Study on Associated Psychological Factors
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Abstract
Background: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is an emerging eating disorder characterized by an obsessive preoccupation with healthy eating. Nutrition students may be at particular risk due to psychological, educational, social, and familial influences. Objective: This study explores the association between ON risk and mood disorders, academic, family, and social variables to enhance our understanding of ON. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on Nutrition and Dietetics students who responded to their level of education, age, sex, weight, height, educational establishment of origin, frequency of weekly physical activity, and number of people with whom they live. In addition, the ORTO-11-ES, DASS-21, and FAD-FG. Results: We were able to recruit 99 participants, presenting a 24.2% risk of orthorexia nervosa, finding a lower association with extracurricular activity and family dysfunctionality. Regarding the other categories, female sex, presence of depression, and anxiety were found to be slightly associated with the risk of ON, with stress being the only variable close to a significant association. Conclusion: The risk of ON constitutes a condition not significantly related to depression, anxiety, stress and family dysfunction in the present sample.
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