Orthorexia among patients with eating disorders, student dietitians and general population: a pilot study
Abstract
PURPOSE: Orthorexia is a recent construct describing an unhealthy and extreme concern for healthy food. To date, its relationship with other eating disorders (EDs) remains unclear, and little is known about the development of this condition. Current literature suggests that a thorough knowledge about nutrition and alimentation, as in the case of experts in the field of dietetics, could foster the development of orthorexic tendencies. The aim of this study was to compare orthorexia between ED patients, student dietitians and general population.
METHODS: A total of 90 female participants (age: 18-29 years) were recruited: 30 ED patients, 30 student dietitians and 30 control subjects, matched for age and sex. Orthorexia, ED-specific and general psychopathology were evaluated using self-report questionnaires (ORTO-15, Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and Symptom Checklist-90-Revised).
RESULTS: Eating disorder patients had significantly higher orthorexic tendencies than other groups (p < 0.001), while student dietitians and general population showed no difference between each other (p = 0.96). Moreover, orthorexia positively correlated to ED psychopathology in ED patients (p = 0.004), but not in control groups.
CONCLUSION: Our data do not confirm previous suggestions that experts in the field of dietetics may display a higher level of orthorexia.
LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, cross-sectional observational study (case series).
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case series, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health. Reported size: 90 participants or records.
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