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AN INVESTIGATION OF ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA IN NUTRITION STUDENTS VS. STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINES

McDonough, Madeline Jane, McDonough

Abstract Details

2018, Master of Science, Miami University, Exercise and Health Studies.
Students who choose to pursue degrees in nutrition have been noted as having an elevated risk for developing disordered eating practices (Houston, 2008). Perhaps this is due to having a hyper-awareness of "correct" eating behaviors and thus attempting to meet the standards of their future profession. Orthorexia Nervosa is a particularly troubling pattern of behavior characterized by a fixation on eating healthy food, or an obsession with proper nutrition (Bratman, 2000). The purpose of this study was to determine if students at a university majoring in nutrition differed from students with health and non-health majors, with respect to disordered eating behaviors and Orthorexia. The hypothesis was that nutrition students would report more disordered eating and Orthorexic practices than health and non-health students. In a cross-sectional design, 49 nutrition students, 85 health students and 45 non-health students completed the ORTO-15, Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory (EPSI) and Eating Habits Questionnaire (EHQ). Results showed there were no significant differences between nutrition students and other students on measures used to evaluate Orthorexia (EHQ and ORTO-15). Nutrition students did, however, indicate significantly higher levels of binge eating, cognitive restraint, excessive exercise, negative attitudes toward obesity and muscle building. Nutrition students, also exhibit disordered eating behaviors more than other students. Future research is warranted to identify stronger measures and additional constructs for Orthorexia Nervosa.
Rose Marie Ward (Committee Chair)
Jay Kimiecik (Committee Member)
Paul Branscum (Committee Member)
34 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • McDonough, McDonough, M. J. (2018). AN INVESTIGATION OF ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA IN NUTRITION STUDENTS VS. STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINES [Master's thesis, Miami University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1543435066582588

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • McDonough, McDonough, Madeline. AN INVESTIGATION OF ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA IN NUTRITION STUDENTS VS. STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINES. 2018. Miami University, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1543435066582588.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • McDonough, McDonough, Madeline. "AN INVESTIGATION OF ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA IN NUTRITION STUDENTS VS. STUDENTS IN ALTERNATIVE DISCIPLINES." Master's thesis, Miami University, 2018. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=miami1543435066582588

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)