"In-between orthorexia" profile: the co-occurrence of pathological and healthy orthorexia among male and female non-clinical adolescents

Relation between orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia: A latent profile analysis

Orthorexic eating behaviors can be conceptualized as a bidimensional construct encompassing an orthorexia nervosa dimension (ON) and a healthy orthorexia dimension (HO). Although variable-centered studies showed that ON and HO are distinguishable orthorexic eating behaviors, the evidence of whether they can co-occur or be distinct in subgroups of individuals is still limited. The present study aimed to address previous person-centered studies' limitations by examining profiles of ON and HO among a convenience sample of 251 French-speaking Canadian adults (85.7% women; Mage = 33.56). Profile membership was examined as function of participants characteristics such as age, gender, body mass index, frequency of physical activity and sports and vegetarianism. The relation between profile membership, intuitive eating and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors was also assessed. Latent profile analysis (LPA) were used to estimate profiles of ON and HO. Results from LPA did not provide support for the distinguishability of ON and HO. Indeed, they revealed the presence of two profiles showing co-occurring levels of ON and HO that only differed quantitatively: low (68.9% of the sample; low levels of ON and HO) or moderate orthorexic eating behaviors (31.1%; moderate levels of ON and HO). Participants who declared being vegetarian and being more frequently involved in physical activities and sports were more likely to belong to the moderate orthorexic eating behaviors' profile. Finally, participants from the moderate orthorexic eating behaviors' profile showed higher levels of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, whereas those from the low orthorexic eating behaviors' profile showed higher levels of intuitive eating. Findings from the present study question the distinguishability of ON and HO dimensions. They also suggest that, similarly to ON, HO is also related to higher eating and lifestyle preoccupations.

Prevalence of Orthorexic Tendencies and Their Correlates Among Lebanese Patients with Cancer

Individuals with cancer face daily challenges regarding diet and healthy lifestyle behaviors that may lead them to better health. This quest for improved health can be exaggerated in unhealthy ways if it is not approached with moderation as occurs with a condition called orthorexia nervosa (ON). Our aim in this study was to determine the prevalence of ON tendencies and their behavioral correlates among Lebanese adults with cancer. This was a monocentric cross-sectional study, conducted between December 2021 and February 2022, involving 366 patients. We collected data via telephone and recorded answers online on a Google form. We used the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale (DOS) to assess orthorexic behaviors, and we checked for behavioral correlates of orthorexia through a linear regression model using the DOS score as the dependent variable. On the DOS scale, we found that 9% of these participants showed possible ON tendencies, whereas 22.2% had definite ON tendencies. Factors associated with having more ON tendencies were (a) receipt of hormonotherapy, (b) being female and (c) having breast cancer. Having prostate cancer was significantly associated with fewer ON tendencies. Our results should help improve the management of patients with cancer through programs to increase patient awareness and education.

Exploring negative symptoms heterogeneity in patients diagnosed with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder using cluster analysis

BACKGROUND

Dissecting the heterogeneity of schizophrenia may help foster progress in understanding its etiology and lay the groundwork for the development of new treatment options for primary or enduring negative symptoms (NS). In this regard, the present study aimed to: (1) to use cluster analysis to identify subgroups of Lebanese patients diagnosed with either schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on NS clusters, and (2) to relate the statistically-derived subgroups to clinically relevant external validators (including measures if state and trait depression, stigma, insight, loneliness, social support).

METHOD

A total of 202 adult long-stay, chronic, and clinically remitted patients (166 diagnosed with schizophrenia and 36 with schizoaffective disorder) were enrolled. A cluster analysis approach was adopted to classify patients based on the five NS domains social withdrawal, emotional withdrawal, alogia, avolition and anhedonia.

RESULTS

A three-cluster solution was obtained based on unique NS profiles, and divided patients into (1) low NS (LNS; 42.6%) which characterized by the lowest mean scores in all NS domains, (2) moderate NS (MNS; 25.7%), and (3) high NS (HNS; 31.7%). Post-hoc comparisons showed that depression (state and trait), loneliness and social support could accurately distinguish the schizophrenia subgroups. Additionally, individuals in the HNS cluster had longer duration of illness, longer duration of hospitalization, and were given higher dosages of antipsychotic medication compared to those in the other clusters, but these differences did not achieve the statistical significance.

CONCLUSION

Findings provide additional support to the categorical model of schizophrenia by confirming the existence of three alternate subtypes based on NS. The determination of distinct NS subgroups within the broad heterogeneous population of people diagnosed with schizophrenia may imply that each subgroup possibly has unique underlying mechanisms and necessitates different treatment approaches.