Orthorexia nervosa prevalence and associated factors in individuals attending a diet outpatient clinic: A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is characterized by an excessive preoccupation with consuming healthy foods, which may lead to dietary restrictions, psychological distress, and social isolation. Despite its increasing recognition, ON is not yet formally classified in the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (DSM), and its prevalence among individuals seeking dietary guidance remains underexplored. This study aims to evaluate the prevalence of orthorexic tendencies and their associated factors among individuals attending a diet outpatient clinic. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Yalova Governmental Hospital Outpatient Diet Polyclinic. A total of 265 participants were recruited using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected through a socio-demographic questionnaire and the ORTO-15 Scale, a widely used tool for assessing ON tendencies. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS 22.0, with chi-square tests and ANOVA applied to examine relationships between ON and body mass index (BMI). A p-value