Orthorexia nervosa, mindful eating, and perfectionism: an exploratory investigation

Miley, Molly and Egan, Helen and Wallis, Deborah J. and Mantzios, Michail (2022) Orthorexia nervosa, mindful eating, and perfectionism: an exploratory investigation. Eating and Weight Disorders - Studies on Anorexia, Bulimia and Obesity, 27 (7). pp. 2869-2878. ISSN 1590-1262

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Abstract

Purpose
Research has drawn associations between Mindful Eating (ME) and perfectionism in the aetiology and treatment of eating disorders (ED), but understanding into the relationship between these factors and Orthorexia nervosa (ON) is limited. The purpose of this research is to explore the relationship between perfectionism, ME, and ON.

Method
Participants (n = 670) completed the Düsseldorf Orthorexia scale, the Mindful Eating Behavior scale, and the Big-Three Perfectionism scale Short-form, to reveal the relationship between ON, ME, and perfectionism. The relationship was assessed using correlational and regression analyses.

Results
A positive association was observed between perfectionism and ON. Moreover, perfectionism demonstrated a significant negative correlation with three out of four ME facets, with “eating without distraction” displaying the highest correlation. The “eating with awareness” facet of ME demonstrated a significant relationship with ON, in a negative direction. An unexpected relationship was observed between the focused eating facet of ME and ON, with a positive association being found. A further regression analysis revealed both perfectionism and ME to predict orthorexic tendencies.

Conclusion
These findings identify a relationship between ON, ME, and perfectionism. It offers suggestion for the complexity of ME, and how it should be recognised by its different components, estimating a differential predictability and estimation of ON. Further research is required to clarify the direction of causality in the relationships observed, to inform the clinical diagnoses and intervention of ON.

Level of evidence
Level V, cross-sectional descriptive study.

Item Type: Article
Identification Number: 10.1007/s40519-022-01440-4
Dates:
Date
Event
29 June 2022
Accepted
12 July 2022
Published Online
Uncontrolled Keywords: Orthorexia nervosa, Mindful eating, Perfectionism
Subjects: CAH04 - psychology > CAH04-01 - psychology > CAH04-01-01 - psychology (non-specific)
Divisions: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences > College of Psychology
Depositing User: Gemma Tonks
Date Deposited: 27 Nov 2023 12:42
Last Modified: 11 Jun 2024 13:02
URI: https://www.open-access.bcu.ac.uk/id/eprint/14853

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