Fasting, Orthorexia Nervosa, and Eating Disorders
Author Information
Author(s): Domaszewski Przemysław, Rogowska Aleksandra M., Żylak Kaja
Primary Institution: Institute of Health Sciences, University of Opole
Hypothesis
Fasting people score higher compared with non-fasting individuals in terms of symptoms of orthorexia and eating disorders.
Conclusion
Fasting is identified as a risk factor for orthorexia and other eating disorders, with orthorexia fully mediating the relationship between fasting and eating disorder symptoms.
Supporting Evidence
- Fasting individuals scored higher in orthorexia and eating disorder symptoms than non-fasting individuals.
- Orthorexia was found to fully mediate the relationship between fasting and eating disorders.
- Positive associations were found between fasting, dieting, and eating disorder symptoms.
Takeaway
This study found that people who fast may develop unhealthy eating habits and become overly obsessed with healthy eating, which can lead to serious eating disorders.
Methodology
A cross-sectional online survey was conducted in Poland in 2023 with participants aged 16 to 65.
Potential Biases
Self-reported measures may be subject to recall bias.
Limitations
The sample was not very large and was predominantly female, which may not represent the general population.
Participant Demographics
The sample included 214 participants, predominantly women (87%), with an average age of 27.95 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.01
Statistical Significance
p<0.01
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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