Assessment of orthorexia nervosa via ORTO-R scores of Turkish recreational and competitive athletes and sedentary individuals: a cross-sectional questionnaire study

Purpose This study aims to evaluate and compare the scores of a self-reported measurement of orthorexia nervosa among Turkish people who engage in different levels of physical activity (sedentary individuals, recreational athletes and competitive athletes). Methods Data for this study were collected through a self-administered online questionnaire between March and April 2020 in Turkey. The questionnaire consisted of two parts: personal information (sociodemographic and anthropometric information, training and dieting regime) and the ORTO-11 Scale. Only the items in the revised scale (ORTO-R) were used for analysis. Measurement invariance was tested and latent means were compared across different activity groups, sexes and levels of education. Results Analysis was done with a total of 877 participants (514 sedentary, 271 recreationally active, and 91 competitive athletes). Mean age of participants was 29.12 +/- 11.15. Sedentary people were less likely to follow a particular diet. Configural, metric and partial scalar invariance were proven across three groups of physical activity and the difference between latent means was found nonsignificant (competitive vs sedentary: CR = - 0.53,p = 0.592; competitive vs recreational: CR = 0.25,p = 0.724; sedentary vs. recreational: CR = - 1.35,p = 0.183). Configural, metric and full scalar invariance were proven across sexes and different levels of education, and difference between latent means was found nonsignificant (CR = - 1,11,p = 0.272; CR = - 0.53,p = 0.587, respectively). Conclusion In conclusion, people who compete at sports events, exercise regularly at a recreational level, or lead a sedentary life have similar scores in ORTO-R. Also, females did not score higher than males.

Automated summary

The study found that Turkish individuals who compete in sports events, exercise regularly at a recreational level, or lead a sedentary lifestyle have similar scores in ORTO-R. Furthermore, females did not score higher than males.