Are increased symptoms of orthorexia nervosa linked to self-perceived body image and nutritional adequacy of Turkish adults?

Icer M. A., YEŞİLDEMİR Ö., Çelik M. N., GEZMEN KARADAĞ M.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH, vol.35, no.3, pp.805-818, 2025 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 35 Issue: 3
  • Publication Date: 2025
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/09603123.2024.2384960
  • Journal Name: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, PASCAL, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, CINAHL, Educational research abstracts (ERA), EMBASE, Environment Index, Food Science & Technology Abstracts, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database
  • Page Numbers: pp.805-818
  • Keywords: body image perception, mean adequacy ratio, nutritional adequacy, Orthorexia nervosa, ORTO-11
  • Ondokuz Mayıs University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This cross-sectional study, conducted on 4003 participants aged between 18 and 45, aims to contribute to orthorexia nervosa (ON) research by examining the relationship between ON, body image and nutritional adequacy. The Orthorexia Nervosa-11 scale (ORTO-11) and body perception scale were applied to individuals, and food consumption records were taken with a 24-hour dietary recall method. The study found that more individuals with orthorexia nervosa (ON) considered themselves overweight compared to non-ON individuals. Evaluating diet quality, the mean adequacy ratio was significantly higher in ON individuals. Nutrient adequacy ratios for total fiber, magnesium, zinc, thiamine, folic acid, and vitamin C were higher, while those for carbohydrate and iron were lower in ON individuals. Additionally, increasing the number of snacks, protein, and total fiber adequacy decreased the ORTO-11 score. Distorted body image perception may be a risk factor for ON, but healthy eating fixation does not lead to nutrient inadequacy unless it involves progressive food restriction.