The assessment of orthorexia nervosa among 1899 Polish adolescents using the ORTO-15 questionnaire.
OBJECTIVE
Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is considered an eating disorder (ED), with an excessive fixation on the consumption of healthy food and an obsession with its biological purity. Since the adolescent period poses a risk for EDs, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of ON in a population of Polish urban adolescents and some possible contributory factors.


METHODS
1899 high school students, 992 girls and 907 boys aged 15-21 years were studied. Demographic and clinical data were collected using a validated questionnaire including information on preferred living choices, in the context of pro- and antihealth activities. The Polish version of the ORTO-15 questionnaire was used.


RESULTS
The mean value of the ORTO-15 was 39.2 ± 3.6 points, with no sex difference. The main factors connected with orthorexia, according to the 'Orthorexia 33.35 and 40' definitions were excess weight, sporting activities, out-of-school activities, smoking status, working parents and a high family income.


CONCLUSIONS
This study, of a large number of adolescents, showed a prevalence of ON similar to that recorded in adult populations. Since factors predisposing to ON in adolescence differ from those for other eating disorders, it is not clear whether ON should be treated as a new form of ED.
a Developmental Age Clinical Ward, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Silesia, John Paul II Pediatric Center , Sosnowiec , Poland ;
Joanna
J
Hyrnik
a Developmental Age Clinical Ward, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Silesia, John Paul II Pediatric Center , Sosnowiec , Poland ;
Małgorzata
M
Janas-Kozik
a Developmental Age Clinical Ward, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Silesia, John Paul II Pediatric Center , Sosnowiec , Poland ;
Martyna
M
Stochel
a Developmental Age Clinical Ward, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Silesia, John Paul II Pediatric Center , Sosnowiec , Poland ;
Ireneusz
I
Jelonek
a Developmental Age Clinical Ward, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy , Medical University of Silesia, John Paul II Pediatric Center , Sosnowiec , Poland ;
Andrzej
A
Siwiec
b Department of Adult Psychiatry , Poznan University of Medical Sciences , Poznan , Poland.
Janusz K
JK
Rybakowski
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D000328:Adult; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescence; behavioral addiction; eating disorders; orthorexia nervosa