No elevated levels of orthorexic eating behavior in a sample of adults with allergies and food intolerances

Abstract

Purpose: To compare orthorexic eating behavior in a sample of adults with and without self-reported allergies and food intolerances. Methods: N = 52 individuals with and n = 102 individuals without self-reported allergies and food intolerances (80% with medical diagnosis; in total 74.6% female, 23.7% male; age: M = 28.13, SD = 11.96 years) completed an online survey with the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale and answered several questions regarding their allergies/intolerances. Results: The groups did not differ in their orthorexic eating behavior. In the sample of individuals with allergies/intolerances, orthorexic eating behavior correlated with the perceived severity of the allergic symptoms and the number of consequences that the allergies had for eating behavior. Conclusions: In line with previous findings, orthorexic eating behavior does not seem to be elevated in individuals with allergies/intolerances. However, focusing on a healthy diet despite adverse food reactions and experiencing a number of allergy-related consequences for one’s eating behavior might be associated with orthorexic eating behavior. Level of evidence: III, case–control analytic study.