The determination of the relationship between food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa tendencies with nutritional status of individuals who engage in sports

This study was conducted to determine the relationship between food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa tendencies with nutritional status of individuals who engage in sports. The study was conducted with 107 volunteers (%49.5 men, %50.5 women) between the ages of 18-64 who have been attending a sports center in Ankara for at least 3 months between December 2019-April 2020. Personal characteristics, nutritional habits, exercise behaviors and anthropometric measurements of individuals were recorded in the questionnaire. Visual Analogue Scale was used to assess appetite. Food Neophobia Scale and ORTO-11 Scale were used to determine eating attitudes and behaviors. Food Frequency Questionnaire was used to determine the nutritional status of individuals. The mean age of individuals were 32.8±11.85 years. It was determined that %75.5 of men were engaged in strenght sports and %24.5 were engaged in endurance sports. While %48.1 of women were engaged in strength sports, the rate of those who engaged in endurance and flexibility development sports were equal and %25.9 (p<0.05). Food neophobia was found %15.1 in men and %16.7 in women (p>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in anthropometric measurements according to the food neophobia level (neophilic-neutral-neophobic) (p>0.05). The daily intake of fiber and vitamin K (in men), and vitamin C, E (in women) are lower in neophobic individuals compared to neophilic and neutral individuals (p<0.05). As the level of food neophobia increased, it was observed that the consumption of vegetables, leafy vegetables/herbs, fruits, fish and seafood were decreased; and the consumption of meat and offal products, cake/biscuits, confectionery/chocolate/ice cream were increased. The reduction in leafy vegetables/herbs consumption (34.1±30.03 g, 23.9±18.75 g, 11.8±10.71 g, respectively) was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Food neopobia scale scores were seemed higher in individuals who do not consume main meals regularly, often skip the evening meals, have no snacking habit and exercise 1-2 times a week for weight loss (p>0.05). It was determined that %32.1 of men and %27.8 of women show orthorexic tendency (p>0.05). Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio measurements were observed lower in orthorexic individuals than non-orthorexic individuals, regardless of gender. Statistically, the difference between the mean BMI of orthorexic men (24.4±3.14 kg/m2) and non-orthorexic men (26.1±3.59 kg/m2) was found to be significant (p<0.05). The daily intake of carbohydrate was observed lower in orthorexic men compared to non-orthorexic men (p<0.05). The daily intake of A, E, K, B12 vitamins, folate and potassium were observed higher in orthorexic women compared to non-orthorexic women (p<0.05). In orthorexic individuals, the consumption of vegetables, leafy vegetables/herbs, fruits, fish and seafood were determined higher than non-orthorexic individuals, while the consumption of meat and offal products, cakes/biscuits, confectionery/chocolate/ice cream and white bread were lower. The consumption of vegetables in orthorexic and non-orthorexic individuals was 114.6±105.98 g, 65.8±51.48 g; the consumption of meat and offal products was 0.6±1.26 g, 2.8±6.25 g, respectively and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). ORTO-11 scores were seemed lower in individuals who consume main meals regularly, often skip the evening meals when they skip meals (p<0.05); have snacking habit and exercise 5 times a week or more for bodybuilding or health protection, therefore the individuals' orthorexic tendencies were seemed higher (p>0.05). ORTO-11 score was negatively correlated with weekly exercise time (r =-0.204, p=0.035) and positively correlated with the percentage of dietary energy from sucrose. There was no significant relationship between individuals' food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa tendencies (r = 0.089, p = 0.362). As a result, this study showed the relationship for the first time between food neophobia and orthorexia nervosa in individuals who engage in sports, and also showed the selectivity in food consumption of individuals with these eating disorders is at two opposite ends. According to these results, it is important to screen the eating behaviors that can not provide adequate and balanced nutrition, by considering gender difference, especially in individuals who engage in sports in order to have a higher quality life, to enlighten the risk groups and take protective measures. Keywords: food neophobia, orthorexia nervosa, exercise, sports nutrition.