Weight Loss Diet is Linked to Orthorexia Nervosa in University Students

Abstract Objectives Orthorexia nervosa (ON), a term describing the obsession with healthy eating, has been coined since 1997 but no study has been reported in people following weight loss diets. This study aimed to assess the association between ON and weight loss diet in a university student population. Methods Students 18 years or older in all majors and at all education levels in a southeastern university were invited to take an online survey. Survey questions include Bratman Orthorexia Test (BOT), Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26) and participant characteristics. Results 411 students (ages 18–65, BMI 15.1–55.5, female 75.2%, white 75.6%, graduate students 16.1%) have completed the survey. Among them, 117 have followed weight loss diet(s) for more than 3 months. Comparing to non-diet followers, diet followers were older (26.2 vs. 23.9), had higher BMI (26.5 vs. 24.9), reported higher BOT scores (5.9 vs. 3.9) and had a higher percentage being a health fanatic or orthorexic (BOT > 5: 76.1% vs. 38.8%). Diet followers also reported higher EAT scores (16.9 vs. 9.0) and had a higher percentage of students at high eating disorder risk (EAT ≥ 20: 32.5% vs. 12.6%). Conclusions Following weight loss diets is associated with high ON tendencies among university students. This association needs to be tested in other populations. Prevention and treatment strategies for ON and eating disorders should take following weight loss diets into consideration. Funding Sources None.

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Eating disorders among health science students at a university in southern Brazil

Revista de Psiquiatria do Rio Grande do Sul ◽

10.1590/s0101-81082011005000002 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 33 (1) ◽

pp. 14-19 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Luiza do Nascimento Ghizoni Pereira ◽

Fabiana Schuelter Trevisol ◽

João Quevedo ◽

Luciano Kurtz Jornada

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Weight Loss ◽

University Students ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Health Science ◽

Science Students ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Health Science Students ◽

Weight Loss Strategies ◽

Eat 26

OBJECTIVES: To analyze eating disorders among female university students and to assess the frequency of bulimia nervosa, anorexia nervosa, and inappropriate weight loss strategies in this population. METHODS: The sample comprised 214 female university students attending different health science programs at a university in southern Brazil, aged over 18 years, assessed using self-administered questionnaires. The 26-item version of the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), the Bulimic Investigatory Test, Edinburgh (BITE), and a supplementary questionnaire covering data on weight status and inappropriate weight loss strategies were used to assess dietary abnormalities. RESULTS: Mean age (± standard deviation) was 21±9.93 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 21.1±2.59. Among the respondents, 72.9% said they would like to weigh less, 29% reported the use of different weight loss methods (diuretics were the most common, followed by laxatives, amphetamine-derived drugs, and self-induced vomiting). With regard to EAT-26 scores, 22.4% (95%CI 17.7-27.1) revealed abnormal feeding patterns; BITE indicated that 9.8% (95%CI 6.5-13.1) were at risk for developing bulimia and 36.9% (95%CI 31.5-42.3) required clinical evaluation. Mean BMI was lower among students with normal scores on both tests, but no association was found between BMI and satisfaction with own weight. CONCLUSION: There was a strong trend toward eating disorders in the health science students assessed, as demonstrated by EAT-26 and BITE scores; inadequate weight loss strategies are frequently used as well.

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Non-Nutritive (Artificial) Sweetener Knowledge among University Students

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu11092201 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2201 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ted Wilson ◽

Breanna Murray ◽

Tamara Price ◽

Denzel Atherton ◽

Tisha Hooks

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Artificial Sweetener ◽

Science Students ◽

Food Ingredient ◽

Food Items ◽

History Of ◽

Knowledge Depth ◽

Or History

This study determined non-nutritive sweetener (NNS; artificial sweetener) depth of knowledge among university health and science students. An online survey was delivered to 1248 science students and completed by 493 respondents (19.0 ± 2.2 years old), evaluating ability to provide an NNS description/definition, examples of NNS from memory, and evaluate NNS word familiarity with a click-drag-box to identify six NNS by chemical name (CN) and six NNS by trade name (TN), relative to six decoy NNS, six caloric sweeteners, and six food items (mean ± standard deviation). NNS definitions contained 1.1 ± 1.1 of four previously defined elements suggestive of knowledge depth, with highest scores among self-described non-NNS users and food ingredient label users. Knowledge depth was not correlated with gender, age, American College Test score, or history of weight loss attempts. Without prompting, respondents could name 0.9 ± 1.1 NNS from memory, with highest scores among self-described non-NNS users (1.4 ± 0.8) and food ingredient label users (1.4 ± 0.8). NNS example memory was not correlated with gender, age, ACT score, or history of weight loss attempts. With the click-drag-box exercise, NNS were correctly identified 4.9 ± 1.0 times by TN and significantly less by CN (3.9 ± 1.9 times). Decoy NNS were incorrectly identified as being a real NNS 4.7 ± 1.3 times, while caloric sweeteners and food items were incorrectly identified as NNS 1.7 ± 1.7 times and 1.0 ± 1.5 times, (TN and Decoy NNS > CN > caloric sweetener and food item). NNS knowledge among university students may be inadequate for understanding what NNS are, if they consume NNS, or whether NNS are important for dietary health.

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University Students’ Knowledge and Perceptions Regarding the Nutrient Content of Plant-Based Beverages

Current Developments in Nutrition ◽

10.1093/cdn/nzab043_007 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 5 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. 555-555

Author(s):

Abigail Hughes ◽

Jennifer Hanson ◽

Elizabeth Daniels

Keyword(s):

Vitamin D ◽

University Students ◽

Online Survey ◽

Energy Content ◽

Calcium Content ◽

Nutrient Content ◽

Human Sciences ◽

State University ◽

Funding Sources ◽

Kansas State University

Abstract Objectives While the consumption of milk in the U.S. continues to decline, plant-based beverages, like almond milk, are becoming increasingly popular. The purpose of this study was to assess university students’ knowledge and perceptions on the nutrient content of plant-based beverages they consume. Methods An online survey was used to collect responses from students at three U.S. universities. Responses were collected from February through September 2020. Students were asked to describe the type of plant-based beverage they drank most often. They were then asked to indicate whether they thought the beverage was greater than, less than, or equal to low-fat cow's milk with regard to energy, protein, vitamin D, and calcium content. Participants were instructed to respond without looking-up their answers, and they were given the option to select “I am not sure” as a response to each question. Using product nutrient labels, responses were scored for accuracy. Results One hundred forty-four students who indicated they drank plant-based beverages completed the survey. Fifty-four % (n = 77) correctly rated the energy content of their beverage, 23% (n = 34) were unsure, 14% (n = 20) overestimated, and 8% (n = 11) underestimated the energy content. When asked about protein, 34% (n = 49) were unsure, 22% (n = 32) overestimated, 21% (n = 30) accurately estimated, and 2% (n = 3) underestimated their beverage's content. For calcium, 43% (n = 58) underestimated, 32% (n = 43) were unsure, 20% (n = 33) answered accurately, and 4% (n = 5) overestimated the content of their beverage. Lastly, for vitamin D, 38% (n = 50) were unsure, 38% (n = 50) underestimated, 23% (n = 30) were accurate, and 1% (n = 1) overestimated the amount of vitamin D in their plant-based beverage. Conclusions Roughly half of all students had an accurate understanding of the energy content of the plant-based beverages they consume. However, the majority did not have an accurate understanding of their beverage's protein, vitamin D, or calcium content. Overall, students appeared to pay attention to the calorie content more than any other nutrient. Although more research is needed, the findings suggest the need to improve students’ awareness of nutrition information and labeling in order to make informed beverage choices. Funding Sources College of Health and Human Sciences, Kansas State University.

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Examining Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in Collegiate Athletes, the Association Between Orthorexia Nervosa and Eating Disorders

Frontiers in Nutrition ◽

10.3389/fnut.2021.763838 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 ◽

Author(s):

Nancy A. Uriegas ◽

Zachary K. Winkelmann ◽

Kelly Pritchett ◽

Toni M. Torres-McGehee

Keyword(s):

Eating Disorders ◽

Healthy Eating ◽

Student Athletes ◽

Collegiate Athletes ◽

Threshold Value ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Orthorexia Nervosa ◽

Eating Attitude ◽

Sport Type ◽

Eat 26

Purpose: Orthorexia nervosa (Orthorexia) is an eating attitude and behavior associated with a fixation on healthy eating, while eating disorders (EDs) are clinically diagnosed psychiatric disorders associated with marked disturbances in eating that may cause impairment to psychosocial and physical health. The purpose of this study was to examine risk for Orthorexia and EDs in student-athletes across sex and sport type and determine the association between the two.Methods: Student-athletes (n = 1,090; age: 19.6 ± 1.4 years; females = 756; males = 334) completed a survey including demographics, the ORTO-15 test (<40 and <35 threshold values), the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26; >20 score), and additional questions about pathogenic behaviors to screen for EDs.Results: Using a <40 threshold value for the ORTO-15, 67.9% were at risk for Orthorexia, a more restrictive threshold value of <35 determined 17.7% prevalence across student-athletes with significant differences across sex [ <40: χ(1,1,090)2 = 4.914, p = 0.027; <35: χ(1,1,090)2 = 5.923, p = 0.015). Overall, ED risk (EAT-26 and/or pathogenic behavior use) resulted in a 20.9% prevalence, with significant differences across sex (χ2 = 11.360, p < 0.001) and sport-type category (χ2 = 10.312, p = 0.035). Multiple logistic regressions indicated a significant association between EAT-26 subscales scores and Orthorexia, and between Orthorexia positivity, ORTO-15 scores, and risk for EDs.Conclusions: Risk for Orthorexia and ED is present in collegiate student-athletes. While healthy and balanced eating is important, obsessive healthy eating fixations may increase the risk for EDs in athletes. More education and awareness are warranted to minimize the risk for Orthorexia and EDs in student-athletes.

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DISTURBED EATING ATTITUDES AMONG MALE AND FEMALE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities ◽

10.46568/jssh.v57i1.96 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 57 (1) ◽

pp. 45-60

Author(s):

Nida ◽

Saima Masoom Ali

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Eating Attitudes ◽

Male Students ◽

Eating Attitude ◽

Demographic Information ◽

Male And Female ◽

Disturbed Eating ◽

Attitude Test ◽

Eat 26 ◽

Male University Students

Present study compared disturbed eating attitudes among male and female university students. For which it as postulated that female university students would have more disturbed eating attitudes as compare to male students. For that reason 200 males and 200 female university students from various universities of Karachi were incorporated in the study. Their age ranged from 19 to 25. Participants after verbal and written covenantfrom the heads of their institution were asked to fill the respondents’ profile form to gather the participant’s demographic information, followed by Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) which was used to know ones disturbed eating ways. For statistical evaluation t-test was applied, which specified that male university students experience more disturbed eating attitudes compare to female learners. This clears that distressed eating attempts are not limited to females, but is now affecting males as well. Thus to avert its budding prevalence, teaching institutions should supervise its amassed risks in their students and stimulate them to healthy lines of eating.

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Effects of a Low Carbohydrate Weight Loss Diet on Exercise Capacity and Tolerance in Obese Subjects

Obesity ◽

10.1038/oby.2008.559 ◽

2009 ◽

Author(s):

Grant D. Brinkworth ◽

Manny Noakes ◽

Peter M. Clifton ◽

Jonathan D. Buckley

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Exercise Capacity ◽

Weight Loss Diet ◽

Low Carbohydrate ◽

Obese Subjects

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Contamination Lab of Turin (CLabTo)

Conference Proceedings of the Academy for Design Innovation Management ◽

10.33114/adim.2019.02.359 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eleonora FIORE ◽

Giuliano SANSONE ◽

Chiara Lorenza REMONDINO ◽

Paolo Marco TAMBORRINI

Keyword(s):

University Students ◽

Single Case ◽

Real Life ◽

Learning By Doing ◽

Assessment Data ◽

Entrepreneurial Skills ◽

Fields Of Study ◽

Education Levels ◽

Positive Effect

Interest in offering Entrepreneurship Education (EE) to all kinds of university students is increasing. Therefore, universities are increasing the number of entrepreneurship courses intended for students from different fields of study and with different education levels. Through a single case study of the Contamination Lab of Turin (CLabTo), we suggest how EE may be taught to all kinds of university students. We have combined design methods with EE to create a practical-oriented entrepreneurship course which allows students to work in transdisciplinary teams through a learning-by-doing approach on real-life projects. Professors from different departments have been included to create a multidisciplinary environment. We have drawn on programme assessment data, including pre- and post-surveys. Overall, we have found a positive effect of the programme on the students’ entrepreneurial skills. However, when the data was broken down according to the students’ fields of study and education levels, mixed results emerged.

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A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of polyunsaturated fatty acids efficacy in adolescents with anorexia nervosa

Pharmacotherapy in Psychiatry and Neurology ◽

10.33450/fpn.2020.06.001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 36 (2) ◽

pp. 95-106

Author(s):

Agnieszka M. Piróg-Balcerzak ◽

Anna K. Bażyńska ◽

Katarzyna Biernacka ◽

Joanna Brągoszewska ◽

Lidia Popek ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Anorexia Nervosa ◽

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids ◽

Small Sample Size ◽

Small Sample ◽

Female Adolescent ◽

Eating Attitude ◽

Controlled Study ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Eat 26

Objective. Omega–3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were tested in adolescent depression and in several neurodevelopmental disorders with partial success. Anorexia nervosa (AN) is characterised by deficiencies in fatty food intake and frequent comorbidity, including depressive and cognitive symptoms. Thus supplementation with PUFAs may be beneficial in this group of patients. The aim of the study was to assess whether PUFAs as an add-on treatment is associated with better improvement of body mass index (BMI) and psychopathological symptoms than placebo in patients with AN. Method. 61 female adolescent inpatients with AN were randomly allocated to omega–3 PUFAs supplementation or placebo for 10 weeks. Patients also participated in the behavioural programme and eclectic psychotherapy (treatment as usual, TAU). At baseline and follow-up visits, patients’ BMI and psychopathology were assessed with Clinical Global Impression Scale (CGI), Patient Global Impression Scale (PGI), and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26). Results. After 10 weeks, both groups showed improvement in all parameters. Improvement in CGI scores was observed greater in placebo vs. PUFA-s group (p = 0.015) while other differences were not statistically significant. Omega–3 PUFAs supplementation appears not to be effective as an add-on treatment in inpatient adolescent girls with anorexia nervosa. Conclusions. The results should be analysed with caution due to small sample size and heterogeneity in TAU. As the TAU turned out to be highly effective, additional therapeutic effect of PUFA might not be visible. Nevertheless, that does not explain the tendency for better improvement in the placebo group.

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Differences in Body Composition, Energy Intake, Energy Consumption and Subjective Appetite among Female University Students according to Eating Attitude

Korean Journal of Sports Science ◽

10.35159/kjss.2019.04.28.2.921 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (2) ◽

pp. 921-930

Author(s):

Sung-Jun Yun ◽

Jae-Il Choi

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Energy Consumption ◽

University Students ◽

Energy Intake ◽

Eating Attitude

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Actitudes alimentarias de estudiantes universitarias brasileñas con conductas de riesgo en desorden alimentario

Journal of Behavior Health & Social Issues ◽

10.22201/fesi.20070780.2010.2.1.20411 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2 (1) ◽

pp. 47

Author(s):

Marle Dos Santos Alvarenga ◽

Fernanda Baeza Scagliusi ◽

Sonia Tucunduva Philippi

Keyword(s):

Disordered Eating ◽

Attitude Scale ◽

Eating Attitude ◽

Font Size ◽

Calidad De Vida ◽

Eating Attitude Test ◽

Attitude Test ◽

Eat 26 ◽

Estudiantes Universitarios

Las actitudes alimentarias pueden ser definidas como creencias, pensamientos, sentimientos, comportamientos y relación con la comida. Conductas alimentarias disfuncionales y comportamientos de riesgo para trastornos de la alimentación pueden presentarse en la población joven femenina – como en estudiantes universitarios - y ambos pueden impactar su calidad de vida. Objetivo: Este estudio evaluó las actitudes alimentarias en una muestra de estudiantes universitarias en Brasil con comportamientos de riesgo para trastornos alimentarios y examino la correlación entre actitudes alimentarias y comportamientos de riesgo para trastornos de la conducta alimentaria. Método: Estudiantes en Brasil del sexo femenino, 2489, respondieron al “Disordered Eating Attitude Scale (DEAS) - para evaluar actitudes alimentarías - y al “Eating Attitude Test” (EAT-26). Aquellas que tuvieron puntuación ≥ 21 en el EAT-26 fueron definidas como EAT+ (con comportamientos de riesgo para trastornos alimentarios). Las puntuaciones de DEAS (totales y sus cinco sub-escalas) de estudiantes EAT+ fueron comparados con las puntuaciones de DEAS con estudiantes con EAT- (sin comportamientos de riesgo para trastornos alimentarios) utilizando la prueba “t Student”. La correlación de los DEAS (total y sus cinco sub-escalas) y las puntuaciones EAT-26 fueron evaluadas utilizando el coeficiente de correlación de Pearson. Resultados: De la muestra total 26.1% presentó comportamiento de riesgo para trastornos de alimentación y los estudiantes EAT+ presentaron peores actitudes alimentarías (puntuación DEAS 80.2 + 18.4) que los estudiantes EAT- (puntuación DEAS 59.0 + 11.8). Puntuaciones EAT-26 estuvieron correlacionadas positivamente con las puntuaciones DEAS. Conclusión: La población de estudiantes femeninas Brasileñas con riesgo de desarrollo de un trastorno de la alimentación presentó peores creencias, sentimientos, comportamientos y relación con la comida. Se puede decir que evaluar actitudes alimentarías e intervenir apropiadamente en intervenciones nutricionales y de salud pueden ayudar a prevenir comportamientos de trastornos alimentarios.

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