Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) among young adults from Poland as well as search for factors which enhance the risk of orthorexia nervosa.
Material and Method: The study group consisted of 136 subjects (95 females, 3 non-binary and 38 males). The mean age of female participants was 20.21+/-3.27 years, and of male participants–18.93+/-3.67 years. In the study, we used a proprietary questionnaire to collect patient data, as well as following diagnostic questionnaires: ORTO-15 by Donini et al. (score of 35 was considered as cut-off point) and EAT-26 by Garner and Garfinkel. The results were statistically analyzed.
Results: Among the overall surveyed respondents, the proportion of those found to be at risk for orthorexia was 26.5% (36 subjects). Eating disorders were found in a total of 15.4% (21) of the respondents. The risk of orthorexia occurred significantly more often in those who had an eating disorder, 71.4% (15), than in those who did not, 18.3% (21). A statistically significant association was found between the presence of an eating disorder and the occurrence of orthorexia risk (chi square=25.790 p <0.001). Depression was present (according to respondents’ self-assessment and evaluation) in 57.3% (78) of respondents or their families. The highest score of risk was observed in the group of students when the respondent experienced depression. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of depression and the occurrence of orthorexia risk (chi square=3.924 p =0.048). There were no statistically significant differences in the risk of orthorexia in groups from big cities and small towns. The studied social factors did not show impact on the risk of orthorexia as well as gender and BMI.
Conclusion: The prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) among young adults from Poland was 26%. A statistically significant association was found between the presence of eating disorders and the risk of orthorexia, confirming that ON is most likely a slightly different clinical manifestation of the eating disorder. The respondent’s depressive disorders were the only statistically significant factor increasing the risk of orthorexia.

Keywords:Orthorexia; Eating disorders; Prevalence; Young adults