Presence of orthorexia nervosa in physical education and nutrition undergraduation students

Abstract

The objective of the study was to evaluate the presence of orthorexia nervosa in undergraduate students of nutrition and physical education and its relation with the use of social networks. This is a cross-sectional study, which included undergraduate students of nutrition and physical education from the Universidade do Oeste Paulista, Presidente Prudente, both men and women, over 18 years of age, who agreed to the Informed Consent Term. The Orto-15 questionnaire was used to evaluate ortorexia nervosa behaviors. The association of social networks use with ortorexia nervosa was also evaluated. The results showed high prevalence of orthorexic behavior (85.1%). The prevalence was higher in physical education course (53.3%), which has majority of male students. Prevalence in nutrition course was 46.7%. There was no association of orthorexia with social networks use.