Orthorexia Nervosa Risk, Body Image Perception, and Associated Predictors Among Adolescent Football Players from Poland and Türkiye

Abstract

Background: In light of growing concern over eating disorders among young athletes amid cultural and social pressures, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of orthorexia nervosa (ON) risk and evaluate body image perception and its predictive factors among young football players from Poland and Türkiye. Methods: The study involved 171 players aged 15–18 years, recruited from football academies in Poland and Türkiye. The Polish and Turkish versions of the Body-Esteem Scale for Adolescents and Adults (BESAA) were administered to assess body image perception, while the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale (DOS) was used to measure ON risk. Anthropometric measurements were taken to calculate Body Mass Index (BMI), which was then referenced to centile charts to determine nutritional status. Results: Results indicated that 13% of participants exhibited characteristics of ON, with an additional 26% classified as at elevated risk. Comparative analysis revealed no significant differences in ON prevalence between Polish and Turkish players (p = 0.938) and no age-related differences (p = 0.694). Among Polish players, a significant positive association emerged between BMI (relative to centile charts) and overall appearance evaluation (BE-Appearance) (p = 0.008, partial η2 = 0.10). This relationship was not observed in Turkish players. Moreover, analysis of ON risk predictors—including age, nationality, nutritional status, and body image—did not identify any single variable as a definitive predictor (all p-values > 0.05), with a low predictive capacity (McFadden’s R2 = 0.03). Conclusion: The study revealed a significant risk of ON among young footballers with no clear predictors.