scholarly journals Evaluation of Orthorexia Nervosa and Symptomatology Associated with Eating Disorders among European University Students: A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study

Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (12) ◽  
pp. 3716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna Brytek-Matera ◽  
María Dolores Onieva-Zafra ◽  
María Laura Parra-Fernández ◽  
Anna Staniszewska ◽  
Justyna Modrzejewska ◽  
...  

The objectives of the present study were to (1) evaluate prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) in university students in Spain and Poland, (2) assess differences in ON and eating disorder (ED) pathology in both samples and (3) examine the relationship between ON and ED symptoms among Spanish and Polish university students. Eight hundred and sixty university students participated in the present study (Mage = 21.17 ± 3.38; MBMI = 22.57 ± 3.76). The Spanish and Polish samples comprised 485 and 375 students, respectively. The Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and the Eating Disorder Inventory were used in the present study. ON prevalence rates of 2.3% and 2.9%, respectively, are found in the Spanish and Polish samples. Compared to Polish students, Spanish university students reported increased drive for thinness and lower body dissatisfaction, lower level of ineffectiveness and lower level of interpersonal distrust. ON was positively related to drive for thinness, bulimia, body dissatisfaction, perfectionism interoceptive awareness (in both Spanish and Polish students) and ineffectiveness (in Spanish students). Our findings suggest that ON significantly overlaps with ED symptoms, which is in line with recent studies. Longitudinal studies are needed to assess how ON develops in a sample of young adults and whether it develops in isolation of or in parallel with ED pathology.

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 205510291987163 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kosuke Yano ◽  
Takayoshi Kase ◽  
Kazuo Oishi

Sensory-processing sensitivity differentiates individuals according to responsivity to internal and external stimuli. It has been positively correlated with depressive symptoms. Meanwhile, sense of coherence, an individual’s perception that stressors are comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful for their life, could improve depression. This cross-sectional study investigated the moderation effect of sense of coherence on the relationship between sensory-processing sensitivity and depressive symptoms in university students. Japanese students ( N = 430) participated in a questionnaire survey that assessed levels of sensory-processing sensitivity, sense of coherence, and depressive symptoms. The results showed that a strong sense of coherence moderated the relationship between sensory-processing sensitivity and depressive symptoms in university students.


2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 41-46
Author(s):  
Miguel Peralta ◽  
◽  
João Santos ◽  
Joana Bordado ◽  
Duarte Henriques-Neto ◽  
...  

This study’s objective was to analyse the associations between physical activity (PA) and well-being in a rep- resentative sample of European university students. This cross-sectional study was based on data from the European Social Survey round 6, 2012, comprising 3,143 European university students (1456 men and 1687 women) from 27 countries, with a mean age of 21.3±2.9 years. Socio-demographic data, PA, health perception, and the six dimensions of well-being were self-reported. Men reported practising PA more often than women did (4.4±2.2 versus 4.1 ± 2.2, p<0.001) and had better health perception (4.2±0.7 versus 4.1 ± 0.8, p<0.001) and total well-being score (5.5±1.2 versus 5.2 ± 1.3, p<0.001). PA frequency was linearly associated with health perception (p<0.001) as well as the overall well-being score (p<0.001). There is a positive association between PA and the well-being of European university students. This emphasizes the importance of PA in the university students’ lifestyle and the need to develop programmes that reduce physical inactivity.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (04) ◽  
pp. 336-341
Author(s):  
ümit Yalçın

Introduction: Anxiety, depression and other mental problems are one of the important health problems on university campuses. The anxiety created by the exams in the students negatively affects the students' attitude and success towards the lessons. The studies carried out, the understanding the relationship between exercise, depression and anxiety, and positive results obtained were satisfying and also increased the value given to this issue. In our study, we examined the relationship between university students' physical activity level and exam anxiety. Material-Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted with 175 volunteer university students who did and did not do sports. The International Physical Activity Assessment Questionnaire (IPAQ) Long Form was used to measure the level of physical activity and the Exam Anxiety Inventory to determine the level of anxiety. Results: The rate of female patients was significantly higher in the inactive group than the minimally active and active group (p ˂ 0.05). In the inactive group, the test anxiety score was significantly higher (p ˂ 0.05) than the minimally active and active group. Conclusion: As a result, our research revealed that the physical activity levels of university students are quite low, especially in female students, and there is a relationship between the level of physical activity and anxiety.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
Manuel Herrero-Montes ◽  
Cristina Alonso-Blanco ◽  
María Paz-Zulueta ◽  
Amada Pellico-López ◽  
Laura Ruiz-Azcona ◽  
...  

Binge drinking (BD) is a common practice among college students. Alcohol consumption has been related to depressive symptoms and certain personality factors, although less is known about the relationship of these variables with BD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship of BD with depressive symptoms and personality in university students. We performed a cross-sectional study among students (aged 18–30 years) enrolled in the academic year 2018–2019 at the Faculty of Nursing of the University of Cantabria (Spain). Sociodemographic, academic, and alcohol and other drug use information was collected by means of a semi-structured questionnaire. The Beck Depression Inventory-II was used to measure depressive symptomatology and the Neo Five-Factor Inventory was used for personality. A total of 142 participants were included, 88.03% of which were women. Up to 38.03% were classified as BD. Concerning depressive symptoms, 7.41% of BD were at the moderate-severe level compared to 3.41% of non-BD (p = 0.7096). Regarding personality, the median score for extraversion of BD was 35 (Q1 = 29, Q3 = 40), 32 (Q1 = 28, Q3 = 36) in non-BD (p = 0.0062), conscientiousness scored 34 (Q1 = 30.5, Q3 = 38) points in non-BD, 31.50 (Q1 = 27, Q3 = 37) in BD (p = 0.0224). In conclusion, BD students have higher levels of extraversion and lower levels of responsibility than non-BD students. No significant differences were found between the level of depressive symptomatology between BD and non-BD students.


Healthcare ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 556
Author(s):  
Mei-Ling Lin ◽  
Wen-Yi Wang ◽  
Chun-Chin Liao ◽  
Yu-Jy Luo ◽  
Chun-Chieh Kao

This study investigated how perceived exercise benefit affects the relationship between cellphone usage and physical activity level. This cross-sectional study performed a survey of Taiwanese university students selected using cluster sampling. A total of 975 students were recruited (male = 367, female = 608, average age = 20.10 ± 1.42). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and hierarchical regression. The results show that cellphone usage was negatively correlated with physical activity level, whereas perceived exercise benefit was negatively correlated with cellphone usage and positively correlated with physical activity level. In hierarchical regression, the main effects of cellphone usage and perceived exercise benefit explained 22% of the variance in physical activity level. After controlling for the main effect, the interaction term accounted for an additional 1% of the variance. Cellphone usage and perceived exercise benefit thus had significant power to explain physical activity level. The results of this study reveal a novel phenomenon—that students who perceived the benefits of exercise to be greater are more physically active.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnieszka Pasztak-Opilka ◽  
Maria Pawlak ◽  
Agnieszka Zachurzok

Abstract Objectives: There are reports that vegetarians, due to the specificity of their diet, may be at risk of orthorexia nervosa (ON), although researchers' opinions are not consistent. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the motivation to use vegetarian diet and the personality traits as well as the tendency to ON. Methods: The study group comprised 480 vegetarians aged 18-40 years (414 women) divided into 3 groups: G1 - semi-vegetarians (n=60), G2 - lacto-ovo-vegetarians, ovo-vegetarians, lacto-vegetarians (n=238) and G3 - vegans, raw foodists and fruitarians (n=182). The questionnaire determining the motivation for vegetarian diet, Neuroticism-ExtraversionOpenness - Five Factor Inventory Personality Inventory and Bratman Test of Orthorexia were used. Results: No significant differences in the level of ON risk were observed between the groups. BMI was significantly lower in G3 than in G1 and G2. In G3 vegetarian diet was used for the longest time, and the highest level of ethical and health motivation to undertake this diet compared to the other respondents was seen (p<0.0001). The study revealed the lowest level of agreeableness in the G1. The neuroticism, extraversion, conscientiousness and ethical motivation to diet were positive predictors of ON, while agreeableness and experience with diet were its negative predictors (F=9.26, p<0.001, R2=0.12).Conclusion: It is concluded that personality traits, type of motivation to undertake a vegetarian diet and diet duration are associated with the risk of ON in vegetarians.Level of Evidence: Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neal Malik ◽  
Kassandra Harding ◽  
Andres Garcia

BACKGROUND COVID-19 may influence healthcare seeking behaviors among university students due to their beliefs about the virus, disruptions in access to care, or both. This has not been studied among university students, particularly those attending a minority-serving institution (MSI). OBJECTIVE To examine the effects of COVID-19 on healthcare seeking behaviors among students attending an MSI. METHODS An online survey was sent to all registered students at a public MSI between February and March 2021. Frequency of in-person and virtual contacts with a healthcare professional across a sample of months in 2019 and 2020 were compared using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Tests. RESULTS Approximately 52.5% reported no in-person visits during the pandemic compared to 47.8% pre-pandemic (Z = -1.800, P = .07). Approximately 47.7% reported no virtual contact during the pandemic compared to 77.5% reporting no virtual contact with a medical provider pre-pandemic (Z = 11.011, P < .001). When in-person and virtual contacts were combined, 43.5% of respondents reported no virtual or in-person contact with medical providers pre-pandemic compared with 34.1% during the pandemic (Z = 3.918, P <.001). CONCLUSIONS Among university students attending a public MSI, in-person visits and contact with their respective healthcare providers decreased during the current COVID-19 pandemic. These results are of particular importance given the relationship between seeking healthcare and the maintenance of health behaviors.


1998 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 180-190 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen A. Martin ◽  
Heather A. Hausenblas

Researchers have questioned aerobic instructors’ status as healthy role models by suggesting that they are excessive exercisers who may be at risk for developing eating disorders. To address this issue, 286 female aerobic instructors (mean age = 34.1) completed the Commitment to Exercise Scale (CES) and the Bulimia (B), Body Dissatisfaction (BD), and Drive for Thinness (DT) subscales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 (EDI-2). Instructors scored low on the CES (M = 62.24) relative to other high-exercising populations. Scores on the EDI-2 subscales were also low compared to published norms (M = .78, 7.8, and 3.2 for B, BD, and DT, respectively). Simple correlations revealed that the CES was related to all three EDI-2 subscales (rs ranged from .18 to .30; ps < .01). Discussion focuses on factors that may account for instructors’ healthy attitudes toward exercise and eating, and practical implications for sport psychologists who work with fitness instructors.


2006 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 489-496 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andréa Poyastro Pinheiro ◽  
Elsa Regina Justo Giugliani

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of body dissatisfaction and associated factors in 8- to 11-year-old schoolchildren. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including children aged 8- to 11-years enrolled in public and private schools in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil, was carried out from August to December, 2001. A total of 901 subjects were selected through cluster sampling. Participants answered a questionnaire aimed at measuring body dissatisfaction and self-esteem and questions about family and social pressures on weight change. Height and weight were measured. The relationship between body dissatisfaction and the variables studied was measured by logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of body dissatisfaction was 82%. Fifty-five percent of the girls wanted a thinner body size, and 28% desired a larger one; the estimates for the boys were 43% and 38%, respectively. Children with the lowest self-esteem (OR=1.80; 95% CI: 1.13-2.89) and who thought their parents (OR=6.10; 95% CI: 2.95-12.60) and friends (OR=1.81; 95% CI: 1.02-3.20) expected them to be thinner showed a higher chance of presenting body dissatisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Body dissatisfaction was highly prevalent among the evaluated schoolchildren, especially in those with lower self-esteem and who thought their parents and friends expected them to be thinner.


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