We investigated the prevalence of ON in a a population of young Italian adults by using a validated questionnaire (ORTO-15).
We aimed to assess the prevalence of ON in a large sample of general population and to identify some possible specific correlation such as gender and Body Mass Index (BMI).
1453 adult subjects from the general population were administered the ORTO-15 test and investigated for gender, age and BMI. Statistical analyses were performed referring to diagnostic threshold (40).
Orthorexia had a 10,9% prevalence in our sample, with a female prevalence statistically significant (female vs male= 72,8% vs 27,2%). Moreover, age and Body Mass Index did not seem to be significant factors.
ON is not currently considered as a full-fledged and discrete mental disorder. Again, the definition and diagnostic criteria of ON remain unclear. Further studies are needed to clarify appropriate diagnostic methods and the place of ON among psychopathological categories. This should be accompanied by a vigorous research effort aimed at understanding the core nature of this condition.