The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa among gym participants from Croatia: an observational study
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is pathological obsession and preoccupation with ‘healthy’ and ‘clean’ eating, which is more pronounced in specific population groups such as fitness enthusiasts. The aim of this observational study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics of ON symptoms among g...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Sestre Milosrdnice University hospital, Institute of Clinical Medical Research
2024-01-01
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| Series: | Acta Clinica Croatica |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://hrcak.srce.hr/file/474018 |
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| Summary: | Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is pathological obsession and preoccupation with
‘healthy’ and ‘clean’ eating, which is more pronounced in specific population groups such as fitness
enthusiasts. The aim of this observational study was to determine the prevalence and characteristics
of ON symptoms among gym attendees in Croatia based on ORTHO-15 questionnaire. A number
of individual characteristics were considered too, from eating habits, anthropometry, personality traits,
psychophysical state, to the presence of irritable bowel syndrome symptoms. Out of 126 participants
who completed the questionnaire, 99 were analyzed (female 68.7% and male 31.3%, median age 24
years). Based on the traditional criterion (ORTHO-15 score <40), the prevalence of ON was 77.8%
and 33.3% according to the modified criterion (ORTHO-15 <35). Women were two times more
likely to have high ON tendency in comparison to men (39.7% vs. 19.4%, p=0.037). Participants with
high ON tendency avoided a wide variety of foods, especially sugar, processed food and gluten, and did
not skip meals. Th ere were no significant differences in orthorexic tendencies according to nutritional
status, personality traits, psychophysical state, or irritable bowel symptoms. For gym attendees in
Croatia, being a woman and dietary restrictions were identified as independent risk factors for ON. |
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| ISSN: | 0353-9466 1333-9451 |