Orthorexic tendencies are linked with difficulties with emotion identification and regulation

Abstract

Background: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterised by an unhealthy obsession with healthy eating and while it is not recognised as an eating disorder (or any disorder), current research is exploring similarities and differences with such disorders. The literature has shown that individuals with eating disorders have difficulties identifying and describing emotions (known as alexithymia) as well as regulating them. However no research to date has looked at whether people with orthorexic tendencies also suffer from difficulties with emotions. In this paper, we refer to people with orthorexic tendencies but do not assume that their healthy eating is at a pathological level needing clinical attention. Methods: The current study examined this by asking 196 healthy adults with an interest in healthy eating to complete four questionnaires to measure ON (ORTO-15reduced to ORTO-7CS), eating psychopathology (EAT-26), alexithymia (TAS-20) and emotion dysregulation (DERS-16). Results: We found that difficulties identifying and regulating emotions was associated with symptoms of ON, similar to what is found in other eating disorders. We suggest that ON behaviours may be used as a coping strategy in order to feel in control in these participants who have poor emotion regulation abilities. Conclusions: Our results show that individuals with ON tendencies may share similar difficulties with emotions compared to other eating disorders. While important, our results are limited by the way we measured ON behaviours and we recommend that further research replicate our findings once a better and more specific tool is developed and validated to screen for ON characteristics more accurately.

Orthorexia nervosa and its association with alexithymia, emotion dysregulation and disordered eating attitudes among Lebanese adults

“…Other studies also reported alteration of these dimensions in adults with ED compared to healthy controls [ 17 , 18 ]. As for orthorexia nervosa, a recent study [ 19 ] showed that ER difficulties were correlated with ON tendencies, in line with previous studies conducted on other eating disorders [ 14 ]. To be noted that the deregulation of emotions contributes to the development and maintenance of ED [ 14 ].…”

“…Individuals with EDs usually show high DDF and DIF, but not EOT, scores [ 22 ]. A recent study showed that only the DIF subscale, and not the total TAS score, was considerably linked with ON symptoms [ 19 ].…”

Identifying the Profile of Orthorexic Behavior and “Normal” Eating Behavior with Cluster Analysis: A Cross-Sectional Study among Polish Adults

“…It is possible that people with ON tendencies tend to perceive themselves to be more 'out of control' when experiencing negative emotions. Regardless of whether losing control is objectively observed or subjectively perceived, the use of very thorough and obsessive food habits could thus serve to increase levels of perceived control in order to cope with difficult feelings [56]. It is worth adding that a higher ineffectiveness was found in our sample with ON.…”

“…It has been suggested that several types of deficits (information processing, beliefs about emotional attachment to possessions, emotional distress, and avoidance behaviors) are contributors to hoarding [55]. A recent study [56] has demonstrated that difficulties identifying and regulating emotions were associated with symptoms of ON. Individuals with high ON tendencies had more difficulties identifying and accepting their feelings, and resisting impulses, engaging in goal-directed behaviors and finding the right strategies when upset compared to people with low ON tendencies.…”

“…Individuals with high ON tendencies had more difficulties identifying and accepting their feelings, and resisting impulses, engaging in goal-directed behaviors and finding the right strategies when upset compared to people with low ON tendencies. It has been hypothesized that ON behavior can be considered as a coping strategy in order to feel 'perfect' and in control [57] in these participants who have poor emotion regulation abilities [56]. It is possible that people with ON tendencies tend to perceive themselves to be more 'out of control' when experiencing negative emotions.…”