Abstract
There is limited evidence of a link between Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) and Obsessive–Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and no definitive conclusions can be drawn. The interplay between socio-cultural context and ON has been poorly investigated as well. Therefore, the objectives of the present study were: (1) to investigate the differences in ON and OCD symptoms and (2) to assess the relationship between ON and OCD symptoms among university students. Six hundred and sixty-six university students participated in the present study: 286 from Poland and 320 from Italy. No age, gender and marital status differences were identified between two samples of university students. However, on average, Polish university students had a higher Body Mass Index than Italian ones. Our findings showed that Polish students present more problems related to obsessive symptomatology, core beliefs of OCD, perfectionism traits, and a major ON symptomatology than Italian ones. Also, Polish students with a higher level of ON exhibited higher levels of OCD symptoms and parental expectations/parental criticism. While Italian students with a higher level of ON showed higher levels of perfectionism features (organization and concern over mistakes). In general, correlations were low as confirmation of partial independence ON from OCD symptoms and core beliefs of OCD in both Polish and Italian university students. The present results highlight a need for further investigation of the correlates of ON across different cultural groups. Future research may screen individuals with ON to determine the comorbidity between ON and OCD symptomology to facilitate appropriate treatment choices.Level of evidenceLevel V, Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.
Highlights
Healthy eating and healthy lifestyles are deemed to be desirable in Western societies [1, 2], with an increasing emphasis on eating good quality or “clean” foods [3]
Polish sample includes a greater number of individuals with chronic disease and a Mood disorder; instead, no differences emerged for the presence of an Anxiety disorder
Differences between groups emerged for the diet type, with the Italian sample composed of a greater number of omnivores, rather than the Polish one, and the Polish group composed of a greater number of fruitarians/vegetarians/vegans
Summary
Healthy eating and healthy lifestyles are deemed to be desirable in Western societies [1, 2], with an increasing emphasis on eating good quality or “clean” foods [3]. Orthorexia Nervosa has been defined in the literature as obsession or fixation or concern/preoccupation [5] with healthy food consumption and disturbing thoughts, excessive worrying, and rigid, compulsive eating behaviors regarding healthy dietary intake, e.g., avoidance of foods considered “unhealthy” or “unclean” [6]. One of the proposals for diagnostic criteria [7] suggests two critical features of ON: (a) obsessive focus on dietary practices believed to promote optimum well-being through healthy eating with inflexible dietary rules, recurrent and persistent preoccupations related to food, compulsive behaviors, and (b) consequent, clinically significant, impairment, e.g., medical, physical or psychological complications, significant weight loss, malnutrition, extreme emotional distress with feelings of guilt, shame, anxiety, and impairment in critical areas of functioning. Bratman [8], the author who coined the term ON, has revealed orthorexic behavior is only becoming pathological if obsessive thinking, compulsive behavior, self-punishment, and escalating restriction are presented and become central drivers of life while impeding other important areas take place
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
