Examining the relationship between Orthorexia Nervosa and healthy lifestyle behaviors in students

Abstract

Abstract Background Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is an eating disorder characterized by a pathological obsession to healthy eating and excessive preoccupation with the consumption of healthy food. The ON levels of individuals are affected by their healthy lifestyle behaviors. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between ON levels as well as associated factors and healthy lifestyle behaviors in female students at Malatya Battalgazi Dormitory. Methods Our descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in 2019 and included 300 female dormitory students. The survey form used in the study consisted of questions regarding sociodemographic characteristics and eating habits; the Orthorexia Nervosa Evaluation Scale and Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Scale were also utilized. The Chi-Square, Student t, One Way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal Wallis tests were used in the statistical analysis of data and p < 0.05 was found to be significant. Results It was found that 16.7% of students had an inclination towards ON. Students who had 2 meals a day or less exhibited significantly lower ON tendencies compared to those who had 3 meals a day or more (p < 0.05). The groups showed statistical variations in total Healthy Lifestyle Behavior scores and sub-class scores when compared according to levels of parental education (p < 0.05). While the average Healthy Lifestyle Behavior score total was 124.8±14.61 in students who displayed ON tendencies, those that did not show such tendencies had a mean score of 120.0±19.74. Conclusions Students with ON tendencies have a higher healthy lifestyle behavior score. In addition, students consuming less than 2 main meals daily showed less signs of ON. In this case, it is necessary to prioritise updating and improving the methods evaluating the ON trends. It is thought that ON tendencies can be reduced and healthy lifestyle behaviors can be improved in students with education concerning nutritional awareness. Key messages The female students staying at Malatya Battalgazi Dormitory show low signs of ON. Healthy lifestyle behaviors of female students staying at Malatya Battalgazi Dormitory are above average.