Özet:

Aim: This study was planned to examine the level of orthorexia nervosa tendency level and the factors affecting the tendency in the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted with students of a foundation university in Gaziantep Province between December 2019 and March 2020. The population of the research was 865, and the sample was 594 students. Data were collected with 31 questionnaire questions and the orthorexia-11 scale, and was analyzed using by chi-square, independent samples t test and one-way variance analysis. Results: It was determined that the mean orthorexia-11 score of the students participating in the study was 26.56±4.40 and 30.0% of them were at risk for orthorexia nervosa. There was no statistically significant difference between the orthorexia-11 scale score averages of the students' gender, department and number of meals per day (p>0.05). It was determined that the tendency of orthorexia is higher in students who were dieting, give importance to proper nutrition, pay attention to daily calorie intake, worry about gaining weight, do physical activity, and look at the expiration date and content of the food consumed (p<0,05). Conclusion: As a result, the fact that 30% the students are in the risk group may lead to an increase in nutritional disorders and to take place in higher risk groups in terms of various diseases over time. Since this situation will occur more frequently in individuals who care about their appearance and are worried about gaining weight, these individuals should be identified through community screening and supported by providing necessary training. Otherwise, orthorexia nervosa may emerge as a serious public health problem in the future.

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