Relation between orthorexia nervosa and healthy orthorexia: A latent profile analysis

Appetite. 2023 Dec 14:107165. doi: 10.1016/j.appet.2023.107165. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTOrthorexic eating behaviors can be conceptualized as a bidimensional construct encompassing an orthorexia nervosa dimension (ON) and a healthy orthorexia dimension (HO). Although variable-centered studies showed that ON and HO are distinguishable orthorexic eating behaviors, the evidence of whether they can co-occur or be distinct in subgroups of individuals is still limited. The present study aimed to address previous person-centered studies' limitations by examining profiles of ON and HO among a convenience sample of 251 French-speaking Canadian adults (85.7% women; Mage = 33.56). Profile membership was examined as function of participants characteristics such as age, gender, BMI, frequency of physical activity and sports and vegetarianism. The relation between profile membership, intuitive eating and disordered eating attitudes and behaviors was also assessed. Latent Profile Analysis (LPA) were used to estimate profiles of ON and HO. Results from LPA did not provide support for the distinguishability of ON and HO. Indeed, they revealed the presence of two profiles showing co-occurring levels of ON and HO that only differed quantitatively: low (68.9% of the sample; low levels of ON and HO) or moderate orthorexic eating behaviors (31.1%; moderate levels of ON and HO). Participants who declared being vegetarian and being more frequently involved in physical activities and sports were...
Source: Appetite - Category: Nutrition Authors: Source Type: research