The Impact of Nutrition Education, Strength Training, and Body Image Perception on Orthorexia Nervosa Risk: A Cross-Sectional Study in Women

BACKGROUND

The increasing focus on healthy eating and achieving an ideal physique can lead to the development of disordered eating patterns, including orthorexia nervosa. The relationship between body image perception, self-esteem, and the risk of orthorexia nervosa is multifaceted, with negative body image and low self-esteem often acting as contributing factors. This study aimed to assess the risk of orthorexia nervosa and analyze body image perception among women engaged in strength training and dietetics students.

METHODS

The study was conducted using a Computer-Assisted Web Interview with 190 women aged 18 and older, divided into four groups: dietetics students engaged in strength training, dietetics students not engaged in strength training, non-dietetics women engaged in strength training, and non-dietetics women not engaged in strength training. The study utilized the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale to assess the risk of orthorexia nervosa and the Body-Esteem Scale to evaluate body image perception.

RESULTS

The highest orthorexia nervosa risk was observed in dietetics students who do not engage in a strength training group (60.9%), followed by dietetics students who engage in a strength training group (37.5%). In contrast, women who are not studying dietetics and do not engage in a strength training group exhibited the lowest orthorexia nervosa risk (13%), emphasizing the protective role of physical activity and reduced focus on nutritional rigidity. Regression analysis revealed that low appearance self-esteem (p = 0.011) and high social attribution (p = 0.043) significantly predicted higher orthorexia nervosa risk. Group affiliation also influenced orthorexia nervosa risk, with dietetics students showing higher Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale scores. However, weight-related self-esteem (p = 0.082) did not significantly impact orthorexia nervosa scores.

CONCLUSIONS

Dietetics education and physical activity independently and collectively affect orthorexia nervosa risk. Students in dietetics, particularly those not engaged in strength training, are at a higher risk due to the dual influence of academic pressures and heightened nutritional awareness. The findings underscore the need for interventions targeting body image perception, promoting flexible dietary approaches, and addressing external validation pressures to mitigate orthorexia nervosa risk in high-risk groups.

Nutritional knowledge, insulin resistance, and the risk of orthorexia nervosa: a comparative cross-sectional study among polish women

Background

The global rise in insulin resistance has led to an increased emphasis on dietary modifications as a primary strategy for its management. While such interventions are essential for improving metabolic health, they can also contribute to heightened nutritional knowledge. However, this increased focus on diet may inadvertently lead to the development of disordered eating patterns, including orthorexia nervosa. This study aimed to determine the level of nutritional knowledge regarding proper eating habits among women with insulin resistance and to assess the relationship between this knowledge and the risk of developing orthorexia nervosa.

Methods

The study was using the Computer-Assisted Web Interview method, involving 133 female participants from a primary care clinic in Katowice, Poland. Of these, 101 women had a medically confirmed diagnosis of insulin resistance, and 32 were healthy controls. Data were collected using an online survey, which included a demographic section, a 15-item questionnaire to assess nutritional knowledge, and the ORTO-15 tool to evaluate orthorexia nervosa risk.

Results

Women with insulin resistance had significantly higher Body Mass Index values and demonstrated greater nutritional knowledge than their healthy counterparts. However, 56.44% of women with insulin resistance were at risk of orthorexia nervosa, compared to 15.63% of the control group. Increased dietary knowledge in women with insulin resistance was also associated with a higher risk of developing orthorexic behavior.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that while women with insulin resistance benefit from improved nutritional knowledge in managing their condition, this knowledge may simultaneously increase their risk of developing orthorexia nervosa. Balancing the promotion of healthy eating habits with strategies that prevent the emergence of distorted eating behaviors is crucial. Future interventions should emphasize flexibility, psychological support, and individualized guidance to ensure both metabolic and mental well-being.