Food Neophobia and Orthorexia Nervosa Tendency in Medical Students: Cross-Sectional Analysis of Associations with Perceived Stress.

Abstract

Medical students are at elevated risk for disordered eating behaviours due to heightened health consciousness and academic-related psychological stress. This study examined the prevalence and correlates of food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa (ON) tendency among Saudi medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 273 medical students at the University of Hail College of Medicine. Food neophobia was assessed using the Food Neophobia Scale (FNS), and ON tendency was measured using the ORTO-15 questionnaire. Bivariate associations were examined using Spearman's correlation, the Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-square test. Binary logistic regression identified independent predictors of ON tendency. The mean FNS score was 36.3 ± 10.4, with 59.7% of students classified as moderately neophobic. Using the ORTO-15 screening threshold (< 40), ON tendency was identified in 68.9% of participants (mean ORTO-15 score: 37.0 ± 4.4); these findings represent screening-level results and should not be interpreted as confirmed ON prevalence. Female students demonstrated significantly higher FNS scores than males (37.4 vs. 34.8; p = 0.034). Perceived stress was inversely correlated with ORTO-15 scores (rs = - 0.186; p = 0.002). FNS and ORTO-15 scores were not significantly correlated (rs = - 0.063; p = 0.300). Binary logistic regression identified perceived stress as the sole independent predictor of ON tendency (OR = 1.493; 95% CI: 1.003-2.223; p = 0.048). A high proportion of students screened positive for ON tendency, independently associated with perceived psychological stress. Food neophobia showed no significant association with ON tendency. Integrating psychological stress screening and dietary behaviour assessment into student health programmes may support medical student wellbeing.