Prevalence of Orthorexia Nervosa in a College Population based on the ORTO-15 and EDE-Q Questionnaires

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is a fairly new eating disorder that is not yet classified in the DSM-5. The condition is characterized by inadvertent food restriction with the goal of reaching a state of purity and superior health. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of ON in a college population as well as the correlates of ON with pathological eating attitudes and behaviors. Participants comprised of 82 students from the University of Albany currently enrolled in an introductory psychology class. A larger questionnaire consisting of measures assessing food and eating related attitudes and behaviors as well as general psychopathology was administered. The current study utilized the ORTO-15, a questionnaire used to assess the presence of ON, and the EDE-Q,  a generalized eating disorder screening survey. Results showed that 74.4% of the sample met criteria for Orthorexia (a 40-point maximum threshold for categorization).  Further, no notable gender differences were found in rates of Orthorexia for males and females. Females were found to have higher weight discrepancy than males. Because of the high prevalence rates in the current sample, further studies must be conducted to determine whether the ORTO-15 is measuring a characteristically different psychological disorder or whether the measure is assessing aspects of eating pathology, similar to that of the EDE-Q.