Orthorexia nervosa and psychosocial impairment from a multidimensional perspective: a structural equation modelling approach

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a proposed clinical condition characterised by an excessive fixation on consuming healthy and pure foods, leading to strict dietary restrictions and potentially negative consequences for both mental and physical health. Despite its increasing prevalence, ON has yet to be classified as a distinct disorder within diagnostic classification systems. To promote its recognition as a formal disorder, it is pivotal to establish a significant association between ON symptoms and psychosocial impairment. To this end, we adopted a multidimensional perspective and explored a broad range of psychosocial domains to address this knowledge gap. A total of 261 participants aged 18–73 years (Mage = 30.03 years, 85% women) were enrolled and completed self-report questionnaires including the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and the Barkley Functional Impairment Scale. Structural equation modelling revealed significant and positive associations between ON symptoms and impairment in several psychosocial domains. These domains included home life with immedi- ate family, household chores, social relationships with acquaintances and friends, sexual activities, financial management, self-care in everyday life, and educational activities. Overall, the presence of ON symptoms appears to have a significant impact on individuals’ daily functioning across various psychosocial domains. These findings emphasize the importance of early identification and intervention for individuals who exhibit symptoms of ON, as well as the need for further research to inform the development of effective treatments and support for this emerging clinical condition.