The effect of social physical anxiety on orthorexia nervosa and exercise addiction in female dietitians

This study was carried out to determine the effect of social physical anxiety on orthorexia nervosa and exercise addiction in female dietitians. The study was carried out between May-July 2021 with 81 women (39 dietitians, 42 other occupational groups) aged 22-64, aged 22-64, with a bachelor's degree in nutrition and dietetics and from other occupational groups with a higher education level, using the online survey method. The questionnaire form, which was prepared to collect data in the study, included questions about some sociodemographic characteristics, nutritional habits, and exercise status of individuals and included Social Physical Anxiety Inventory (SPAI), Orthorexia-11 Scale (ORTO-11), Exercise Addiction Scale-17 (EAS-17). and Food Consumption Frequency Form. In the study, the ages of the individuals ranged from 22 to 64, and the mean age was found to be 30.2±10.88 years. In the study, 48.1% of the individuals were dietitians and 51.9% were members of other occupational groups. It was determined that 74.4% of dietitians and 59.5% of individuals in other occupational groups were in the normal group according to the Body Mass Index (BMI) classification. The relationship between occupation and BMI was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean energy intake was found to be 1614.7±599.95 kcal in dietitians and 1911.1±745.46 kcal in individuals from other occupational groups, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Daily carbohydrate intake of individuals; It was observed that dietitians took 179.9±85.31 g, while individuals in other occupational groups took 193.7±92.36 g of carbohydrates. When the percentages of sucrose were examined, it was found as 8.2±4.29, respectively in dietitians and 9.9±4.45 in other occupational groups, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). When the total amount of protein and the percentage of energy coming from protein are analyzed by individuals in their daily diet; while it was 70.0±27.11 g and 17.8±3.74% in dietitians, it was found to be 76.6±28.46 g and 16.8±3.59% in individuals from other occupational groups. Daily fat intake of individuals; dietitians and individuals in other occupational groups were found to be 68.5±26.94 g and 91.4±39.10 g, respectively, and this difference was found to be statistically significant (p<0.05). The mean daily value of monounsaturated fatty acid intake was determined as 23.8±9.56 g in dietitians and 31.4±12.66 g in individuals from other occupational groups, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05).When the average daily saturated fatty acid intake is evaluated; While it was 27.2±13.03 g in dietitians, it was found to be 40.2±18.35 g in individuals from other occupational groups, and this difference is statistically significant. The mean value of dietary cholesterol intake levels was 312.4±217.24 mg in dietitians and 425.2±209.51 mg in individuals from other occupational groups, and there was a statistically significant relationship between them (p<0.05). It has been determined that %46.2 of dietitians and %33.3 of other occupational groups have the habit of exercising regularly. The score of dietitians in SPAI was found to be 33.0±6.21 and individuals from other occupational groups were found to be 34.3±8.83. While the rate of orthorexic individuals in dietitians is %30.8, this rate is %35.7 in other occupational groups. %43.6 of dietitians and %45.2 of individuals in other occupational groups are in the risk group for exercise addiction. No statistically significant relationship was found between occupational groups and SPAI, ORTO-11, EAS-17 (p>0.05). The scores of individuals with orthorexic SPAI were found to be 38.6±8.91, and 32.18±8.04 for those who were not. A statistically significant correlation was found between SPAI and ORTO-11 (p<0.05). In dietitians, the mean SPAI score was determined as 34.5±5.38 in orthorexic individuals and 32.3±6.53 in non-orthorexic individuals, and no statistically significant difference was found between them. In individuals from other occupational groups, the mean SPAI score of the orthorexic group was 42.0±9.89, and 32.0±9.43 in the non-orthorexic group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). Although there was a statistically significant relationship (p<0.05) between ORTO-11 and EAS-17, a negative correlation was found between them. This is the first study on the effect of social physical anxiety on orthorexia nervosa and exercise addiction. Studies on orthorexia nervosa and exercise addiction, underlying these disorders and indicating how they affect society, are insufficient. Therefore, more extensive and comprehensive studies will be effective in illuminating these issues.