Evaluation of orthorexia nervosa tendency and fear of COVID-19 in university students receiving health education

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to evaluate level of fear and the tendency toward orthorexia nervosa (ON) during the COVID-19 pandemic in the university students receiving health education. Design/methodology/approach A total of 765 students, consisting of 626 females (81.8%) and 139 males (18.2%) were included in the study. The demographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) and the tendency toward ON were assessed using an online questionnaire. Findings The FCV-19S scores differed according to gender and were higher in the female students (P < 0.001). In students with a high EAT-26 score, the tendency toward ON was higher (P < 0.001). According to estimated regression models, a unit increase of the FCV-19S scores led to a decrease of 0.10 points in the Orthorexia Nervosa Evaluation Scale-11 (ORTO-11) scores. It was determined that students with high FCV-19S scores had a tendency toward ON and increased EAT-26 scores (P < 0.001 and P = 0.004, respectively). There was a weak negative correlation between the FCV-19S score and the ORTO-11 score (P < 0.001) and a weak positive correlation between the FCV-19S score and the EAT-26 score (P = 0.001). Originality In this cross-sectional study, it was determined that the fear of COVID-19 was related to an increase in the tendency toward ON and eating attitude in students receiving health education. Because of the fear and ON tendencies of students due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it would be beneficial to provide education on adequate and balanced nutrition during this period.

Nutrition knowledge, diet quality and orthorexic behaviors in Polish students–a pre-post repeated cross-sectional study

“…A well-balanced and varied diet is important to provide a healthy immune system, which is especially important during the pandemic [ 54 , 55 ]. The fear and stress caused by the pandemic may lead to an increase in healthy eating obsession [ 56 , 57 ]. Nevertheless, the lack of correlation between the OB score and diet quality indices at the end of the study, and an improvement in these variables, may indicate that factors other than preoccupation with healthy eating may determine diet quality.…”

Overall proportion of orthorexia nervosa symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis including 30 476 individuals from 18 countries

“…The increase in time spent on social media due to the COVID-19 pandemic has been identified as one of the reasons for the increase in ON symptoms [ 116 ]. In addition, the change in people’s diets due to the fear and stress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have led to an increased obsession with healthy eating [ 117 ].…”

Changes in diet, lifestyle, and Orthorexia Nervosa tendency during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based study

“…In particular, the fact that individuals spend more time at home with media and social media tools has led to an increase in sedentary time [6]. In addition to these, the change in the diet of individuals due to the fear and stress caused by the pandemic has led to an increase in healthy eating obsession, which is defined as Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) [7,8]. In the study of Zeynep et al, it was found that the fear of COVID-19 was related to an increase in the tendency toward ON [7].…”

“…In addition to these, the change in the diet of individuals due to the fear and stress caused by the pandemic has led to an increase in healthy eating obsession, which is defined as Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) [7,8]. In the study of Zeynep et al, it was found that the fear of COVID-19 was related to an increase in the tendency toward ON [7]. Another study also reported that the time spent on social media to follow the COVID-19 and nutrition news were associated with higher ON symptoms [8].…”