Distinguishing between healthy and pathological orthorexia: a cluster analytic study

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Nutrition Science
• Eating Behavior Research

Background:

• Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a pathological obsession with healthy eating.
• Healthy orthorexia (HO) represents a non-pathological interest in healthy eating.
• Understanding the spectrum of orthorexic behaviors is crucial for clinical and public health.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the typology of orthorexic eating behaviors in a large sample of female adults.
• To differentiate between healthy orthorexia (HO) and pathological orthorexia (ON).
• To investigate the association between orthorexic behaviors and psychological well-being.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study involving 1245 female adults.
• Utilized cluster analysis based on HO and ON scores.
• Assessed orthorexic behaviors, intuitive eating, self-esteem, social support, and psychological symptoms.

Main Results:

• Identified four clusters: Healthy Orthorexia (HO), Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), Low Orthorexia (LO), and In-between Orthorexia (IBO).
• The ON cluster showed higher levels of eating disorders, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
• The HO cluster demonstrated higher levels of intuitive eating, self-esteem, and social support.

Conclusions:

• Findings support a bidimensional structure of orthorexic eating behavior.
• ON behaviors appear maladaptive, whereas HO behaviors may be protective.
• Orthorexic behaviors can coexist in some individuals, highlighting a complex spectrum.