Evaluation of Orthorexia nervosa during pregnancy and its effects on birth outcomes

ABSTRACT Aim: This study aimed to evaluate orthorexia nervosa (ON) in pregnant women, determine the factors affecting ON and examine the postnatal data of babies of pregnant women prone to orthorexia nervosa. Materials-Methods: The study was conducted with 366 pregnant women who applied to Düzce University Research and Practice Hospital Pregnancy Polyclinic between 15.03.2024 and 15.11.2024 and met the inclusion criteria. In the study, pregnant women were evaluated with descriptive survey questions and the ORTO-15 scale. At the end of pregnancy, the newborn was evaluated with postpartum weight, height, head circumference and Apgar score data. Results: The tendency to orthorexia nervosa in pregnant women was determined as 79.8%. It was found significant that the ON tendency increased as the education level increased (P = 0.01). The ON tendency was found to be significantly higher in working pregnant women compared to non-working women (P<0.05). In our study, no significant difference was found between the babies of pregnant women with and without ON tendency in terms of birth weight, length, head circumference, and Apgar scores at the 1st and 5th minutes (P>0.05). The incidence of ON tendency has been found to be increased in pregnant women who exercise and weigh themselves more frequently. However, it is not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusion: It is important to increase awareness of healthy nutrition during pregnancy and to recognize and support orthorexia nervosa tendencies in the early period. Especially pregnant women with a high level of education and who are working are in the risk group for ON tendency. Psychosocial support and information programs can be developed for these groups. Factors that may affect ON can be investigated more clearly in future studies with larger sample groups from different populations.