Is there a relationship between orthorexia nervosa, body dissatisfaction, anxiety about health and eating attitudes among adults?
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Özge Mengi Çelik 1 * , Emine Merve Ekici 1 , Tevfik Koçak 2
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1 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Gülhane Health Sciences, University of Health Sciences, Ankara, TÜRKİYE2 Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Health Sciences, Gümüşhane University, Gümüşhane, TÜRKİYE* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between orthorexia nervosa, body dissatisfaction, health anxiety, and eating attitudes.
Materials and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 836 adults aged 18-65 years. The research data were collected with the help of a web-based survey form created by the researchers. The general characteristics and anthropometric measurements of the individuals were questioned. Orthorexic tendency (ORTO-11) scale, eating attitude (eating attitude test-26 [EAT-26]), health anxiety (health anxiety inventory) and body satisfaction (Stunkard figure rating scale) were evaluated with the help of scales.
Results: The mean age of the individuals was 30.50 ± 11.70 years. 44.9% of the individuals had orthorexic tendency. 31.7% of individuals had disordered eating behavior and 33.3% of individuals were dissatisfied with their body size. When the factors that could affect the ORTO-11 scale score, EAT-26 score and health anxiety inventory score were evaluated with linear regression analysis, all models were statistically significant (respectively R2 = 0.173, p < 0.001, R2 = 0.211, p < 0.001; and R2 = 0.216, p < 0.001). It was determined that EAT-26 score had an effect on the ORTO-11 scale score. It was determined that body mass index, ORTO-11 scale score and health anxiety inventory score had an effect on the EAT-26 score. It was determined that gender, EAT-26 score and Stunkard figure rating scale score had an effect on the health anxiety inventory score (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: It was determined that eating attitudes have a direct impact on the orthorexia nervosa and health anxiety affects eating attitudes. This study presents significant data that can guide future therapeutic research on enhancing individuals’ eating attitudes, and behaviors, addressing emerging health anxiety, managing perceived body image, and promoting long-term overall health.

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Original Article

J CONTEMP STUD EPIDEMIOL PUBLIC HEALTH, Volume 6, Issue 1, 2025, Article No: ep25008

https://doi.org/10.29333/jconseph/17562

Publication date: 16 Dec 2025

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Article Downloads: 17

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