ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA VERSUS HEALTHY ORTHOREXIA: A NEW WAY OF BEHAVING

Abstract

Introduction: Orthorexia nervosa (ON), has been widely studied as a pathological eating behavior, with high prevalence in college students, despite not being considered an eating disorder. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate orthorexia nervosa by a literature review of the concept and prevalence from surveys using the Orto-15 questionnaire. Methods: Participants completed the characterization form and the questionnaire on orthorexic behaviors - ORTO-15 and a survey was conducted in Pubmed, Scielo, Lilacs and Medline databases, with studies on prevalence and etiology of ON. Results: Of the 205 participants, 85.6% had reports indicating orthorexic behavior, with a prevalence of males, and no statistically significant difference between the areas of knowledge. It was identified in other studies a lack of relationship between orthorexic behaviors and other behaviors indicative of eating disorders. Conclusion: It can be inferred that ON represents a concern with health, but does not represent pathological behaviors, it is an adaptive behavior to new eating contingencies, but with no relation with risk behaviors for eating disorders.