Associations between Orthorexia Nervosa symptoms and executive functioning in physically active adults

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Nutrition Science

Background:

• Orthorexia nervosa is an emerging eating disorder characterized by an obsessive pursuit of healthy eating.
• Executive functioning (EF) plays a crucial role in regulating complex behaviors, including eating habits.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between core executive functioning domains and healthy orthorexia versus orthorexia nervosa.
• To identify specific EF deficits associated with orthorexia nervosa in physically active adults.

Main Methods:

• 342 physically active adults completed self-report measures of executive functioning and orthorexia.
• Pearson correlations and multiple regression analyses were used to examine associations, controlling for demographics.

Main Results:

• Orthorexia nervosa was positively associated with working memory difficulties and negatively with cognitive flexibility.
• Inhibition was not a significant predictor of orthorexia nervosa.
• Executive functioning did not predict healthy orthorexia.

Conclusions:

• Executive functioning, particularly working memory and cognitive flexibility, is relevant to orthorexia nervosa.
• Cognitive remediation targeting cognitive rigidity and working memory may help manage maladaptive health-focused eating behaviors.