Characteristics and nosological separation of orthorexia nervosa

Introduction: Orthorexia nervosa is a pathological behaviour characterised by an obsession with proper nutrition and avoiding foods considered by the affected individual to be unhealthy, which leads to severe dietary restrictions. So far, the disease has not been included in any official diagnostic classification, and nosological considerations in this regard are inconclusive. Aim: The aim of this study was to characterise patients with orthorexic behaviours as well as to analyse the relationship between orthorexia and selected sociodemographic factors and psychopathologies, such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and hypochondria. Materials and methods: Questionnaires measuring the symptoms of orthorexia, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and hypochondria as well as an author's original were used. The study included 236 Polish respondents aged 18-35 years. Results: Appearance and health were the main motivational factors in the group of respondents presenting with higher severity of orthorexic behaviours (27%). There were no differences between high- and low-orthorexic behaviour groups in terms of variables such as sex, age or body mass index. Increased severity of orthorexic behaviours was associated with lower education levels and reporting high frequency of physical activity. Increased severity of orthorexic behaviours was also accompanied by dietary restrictions (a symptom seen in eating disorders) and signs of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Conclusions: Orthorexia is characterised by the use of special diets and dietary restrictions, making nutritional decisions based on appearance and health as well as reporting more frequent physical activity. Based on the clinical picture, orthorexia nervosa should be classified into the spectrum of eating disorders, with the possible involvement of obsessive-compulsive disorders in its development.