Moderating role of body perception in the relationship between orthorexia nervosa tendency and depressive symptoms

This study aims to investigating the moderating role of body image in the relationship between orthorexia nervosa and depressive symptoms of individuals. Participants are 197 individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 who have been on a diet before. Data collection tools "Sociodemographic Data Form, Ortho-11 Scale, Beck Depression Scale, Body Perception Scale'' were used. Pearson Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient was used to analyze the relationship between variables, Hierarchical Regression Analysis was used to analyze the moderating role of body perception. A low-level, significant, positive relationship was found between orthorexia nervosa symptoms and body image, while a negative, low-level, significant relationship was found between orthorexia nervosa and depression. There was a negative, moderate, significant relationship between body image and depressive symptoms. When the moderating role of body image in the relationship between orthorexia nervosa and depressive symptoms was examined, it was found that body image played a moderating role. It can be said that maintaining an interest in healthy nutrition with adherence and turning it into a pathological state reveals depressive symptoms. Dissatisfaction with body appearance strengthens the relationship between beliefs and behaviors towards healthy eating and depressive symptoms, body image is an important moderator variable.