Chadia Haddad1, Sahar Obeid1,2,3, Marwan Akel4,5, Karl Honein6, Maria Akiki6, Jocelyne Azar1,7, Souheil Hallit8,9,10. 1. Psychiatric Hospital of the Cross, Jal Eddib, Lebanon. 2. Faculty of Philosophy and Human Sciences, Holy Spirit University (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. 3. Faculty of Pedagogy, Lebanese University, Beirut, Lebanon. 4. School of Pharmacy, Lebanese International University, Beirut, Lebanon. 5. INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon. 6. Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. 7. Faculty of Medicine, Lebanese American University, Byblos, Lebanon. 8. INSPECT-LB, Institut National de Sante Publique, Epidemiologie Clinique et Toxicologie, Beirut, Lebanon. souheilhallit@hotmail.com. 9. Faculty of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), Jounieh, Lebanon. souheilhallit@hotmail.com. 10. , Building 560, Street 8, 1st floor, Biakout, Lebanon. souheilhallit@hotmail.com.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Orthorexia nervosa (ON), or the pathological preoccupation and "fixation on healthy food" has been emerging as a new eating disorder. A limited amount of literature exists today on the prevalence of ON. The objective of the current study was to assess factors associated with ON tendencies and behaviors among a representative sample of the Lebanese population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2018, which enrolled 811 participants from all Lebanese governorates. The ORTHO-15 scale was used to evaluate ON tendencies and behaviors among participants. Scores below 40 indicate the presence of ON. RESULTS: The results showed that 589 (75.2%) participants had ON tendencies and behaviors. The results of the multivariable analysis taking the ORTHO-15 score as the dependent variable, showed that female gender (Beta = - 0.739), starving to lose weight (Beta = - 0.859), convincing others to follow a diet (Beta = - 0.971), thinking that eating out is unhealthy (Beta = - 0.931) and increased EAT (eating attitudes test) scores (Beta = - 0.087) were associated with higher level of orthorexia tendencies and behaviors (lower ORTHO-15 scores). CONCLUSION: A highly unexpected prevalence of ON tendencies and behaviors was found in our sample. The Lebanese population might have high preoccupation behavior towards healthy and proper nutrition. Social awareness and behavioral intervention programs are warranted to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle behaviors, and consequently overcome ON. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5, cross-sectional descriptive study.
INTRODUCTION:Orthorexia nervosa (ON), or the pathological preoccupation and "fixation on healthy food" has been emerging as a new eating disorder. A limited amount of literature exists today on the prevalence of ON. The objective of the current study was to assess factors associated with ON tendencies and behaviors among a representative sample of the Lebanese population. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study, conducted between January and May 2018, which enrolled 811 participants from all Lebanese governorates. The ORTHO-15 scale was used to evaluate ON tendencies and behaviors among participants. Scores below 40 indicate the presence of ON. RESULTS: The results showed that 589 (75.2%) participants had ON tendencies and behaviors. The results of the multivariable analysis taking the ORTHO-15 score as the dependent variable, showed that female gender (Beta = - 0.739), starving to lose weight (Beta = - 0.859), convincing others to follow a diet (Beta = - 0.971), thinking that eating out is unhealthy (Beta = - 0.931) and increased EAT (eating attitudes test) scores (Beta = - 0.087) were associated with higher level of orthorexia tendencies and behaviors (lower ORTHO-15 scores). CONCLUSION: A highly unexpected prevalence of ON tendencies and behaviors was found in our sample. The Lebanese population might have high preoccupation behavior towards healthy and proper nutrition. Social awareness and behavioral intervention programs are warranted to follow a healthy diet and lifestyle behaviors, and consequently overcome ON. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 5, cross-sectional descriptive study.