What role do orthorectic beliefs play in orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia? Development and validation of the Orthorexia Beliefs Scale (OBS)

Cognitive models of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) postulate that dysfunctional beliefs and appraisals are key elements in the development and maintenance of obsessions. Given the relationship between the orthorexia nervosa (OrNe), OCD, and eating disorders, it is not surprising that some dysfunctional beliefs are present in OrNe. The aim of this research was to determine the relevance of dysfunctional beliefs in OrNe. To do so, we developed and validated an instrument that assesses these beliefs –the Orthorexia Beliefs Scale (OBS)– and, subsequently, analyzed the association between orthorexia, food restriction, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and negative/positive affect, along with the beliefs evaluated with the OBS. Participants (n = 418) were given a set of questionnaires. We expected the obtained instrument to be able to assess dysfunctional beliefs related to orthorexia and establish positive associations between pathological dimensions and OrNe. The results revealed that the scale evaluated three factors: Overvaluation of Healthy Eating, Moral Meaning, and Need to Control. OrNe was significantly associated with all three of these factors and the most relevant association was with the Need to Control factor. An association between the non-pathological variable of orthorexia (HeOr) and the Overvaluation of Healthy Eating factor was also found. The results seem to indicate that the dysfunctionality of orthorexia is highly marked by the need to control, as also occurs in eating disorders.