Ernährung & Sport

Abstract

Introduction: Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a pathological eating behavior. There often is a connection between pathological eating behaviors and sporting activities. There is a higher prevalence of eating disorders e.g. Anorexia Nervosa or Bulimia Nervosa in athletes. The aim of this article is to examine the prevalence of ON in dependence onsporting activities.Method: The sample was recruited amonguniversity students whowere active members of the university fitness center. Two questionnaires were used in an online-interview.The Dsseldorfer Orthorexie Skala (DOS) was used to recordeating behavior. The frequency, scope and intensity of sporting activities were recorded and three sport types identified (occasional sports, regular sports and intensive sports).Results: The prevalence of the orthorectic eating behavior reached 2.5%. Inthe female sample, the group with the intensive sport pattern was concerned the most with 5.1% and inthe male group, the occasional sport pattern was the most concerned (3.4%). Considering the mean values ofthe DOS, there were significant differences inthe female intensivegroupin comparison with frequent (p=0.015) and occasional (p=0.000) athletes. No significant differences were foundin the male sample. The strength of effect was small in both groups (female: 2=0.033, male: 2=0.006).Discussion: The results show that there is a positive connection between ON and sporting activities in female students. There is no connection in the male studentswho achieved a mean valueequal to that ofthe general population.KEY WORDS: Orthorexia Nervosa, Sporting Activity, Students, Nutrition, Eating Behaviour