Abstract:

This study was carried out to determine the relation between the risk of orthorexia nervosa and body image. Following a descriptive, cross-sectional design, this study was performed with 312 university-level nursing students between April and June of 2019. Data were gathered using a questionnaire prepared by the researcher, the Orthorexia-11 Questionnaire, and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. The data obtained were evaluated using SPSS 21 with percentages, means, a Chi-square test, and a correlation analysis. The students received moderate scores on the Orthorexia-11 Questionnaire. Students with a predisposition to orthorexia received higher scores for health orientation than those without orthorexia; and students with a predisposition to orthorexia had lower scores for Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire. We found a significant positive relation between orthorexia and appearance orientation and a significant, negative relation between orthorexia and health orientation and body areas satisfaction. The findings further showed the existence of a relation between orthorexia and multidimensional body-self relations. As a result, we recommend that nursing students be evaluated in terms of orthorexia nervosa, that screening tests be performed in people at risk, that suitable precautions be taken, and that appropriate interventions be performed.