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Health beliefs, behaviors, and symptoms associated with orthorexia nervosa

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Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

This research explored whether symptoms of orthorexia nervosa (ON), a condition involving obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviors regarding healthy eating, are associated with differences pertaining to use of nutritional supplements and complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) techniques, to health locus of control, and to symptoms of poor physical health.

Method

An anonymous online survey assessing the variables above was completed by college students at a university in the southern United States: 47 in the ON symptoms group, 50 in the healthy-eating control group, and 83 in the normal-eating control group.

Results

Compared to both control groups, the ON symptoms group reported greater supplement use and CAM participation, more reasons for these behaviors for the purpose of improving psychological health (i.e., to increase energy, enhance focus, and improve mood), and greater symptoms associated with poor physical health. None of the groups differed on internal or external health locus of control.

Conclusion

For those with ON, “healthy” eating behaviors are accompanied by other health behaviors that include supplement use and CAM activities. However, despite their goal of achieving perfect health, these individuals experience diminished physical health with symptoms that may be related to their severe dietary restrictions.

Level of evidence

Level V, descriptive cross-sectional study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Texas State University, 601 University Dr, San Marcos, TX, 78666, USA

    Crystal D. Oberle, Dalton L. Klare & Kevin C. Patyk

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  1. Crystal D. Oberle
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  2. Dalton L. Klare
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Correspondence to Crystal D. Oberle.

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All procedures performed in this study involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the Texas State University Institutional Review Board and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Oberle, C.D., Klare, D.L. & Patyk, K.C. Health beliefs, behaviors, and symptoms associated with orthorexia nervosa. Eat Weight Disord 24, 495–506 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40519-019-00657-0

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