Orthorexic Tendencies, Sociodemographic Characteristics, and Nutritional Behaviors among University Students

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to determine the tendency to orthorexia nervosa (ON) and related factors among university students. Material and Method: The study, designed in the cross-sectional type, was carried out with the participation of a total of 816 students. The Orthorexia Nervosa Scale (ORTO-11) was used to evaluate the tendency for ON, and a structured questionnaire designed in line with the literature was used to evaluate the related factors. Results: The mean score that students got from the ORTO-11 scale was 27.24 ± 3.74. The level of ON was determined to be higher among female students and among individuals who did not consume tobacco products and alcohol, who read food labels on food packages, who often preferred organic food, who did not consume fast-food, or who had regular eating habits (p <0.05 for each category). Conclusions: The students were determined to have a tendency for ON. Determination of obsessional concerns of orthorexic individuals will be useful in the classification of the disease and development of diagnostic criteria.