A Comparison of Eating- and Body-Related Symptomatology, Distress, and Impairment in Adults With Orthorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders

Abstract

Objective: It has been proposed that orthorexia nervosa (ON), which entails a pathological preoccupation with healthy eating, warrants recognition as a distinct eating disorder (ED). However, the distinctive features of ON, and its associated distress and impairment, relative to currently recognised EDs remain unclear. The present study sought to gain a clearer understanding of ED symptomatology, distress, and impairment in ON and EDs. Method: Adult participants (n = 751) completed measures assessing ED and ON symptomatology, distress, and impairment. Participants were categorised into those with probable ED/ON (n = 162), ED-only (n = 312), ON-only (n = 12) or a healthy comparison (HC) group (n = 265). Results: The ON-only group had significantly higher dietary restraint, shape/weight concerns, and ED-related and physical impairment than the HC group, and higher dietary restraint and ED-related impairment than the ED-only group. The ED/ON group exhibited significantly higher eating, shape, and weight concerns than all groups, and higher ED-related and general distress and impairment than the ED-only and HC groups. Conclusions: The findings support the conceptualisation of ON in the ED category and suggest the concurrent presence of elevated ON in adults with an ED comprises a more severe variant of an ED. Show more