THE EFFECT OF GENDER TO ORTHOREXIA NERVOSA TENDENCY IN ADULTS

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of gender to orthorexia nervosa tendency in adults. Methods: A total of 618 people (399 women and 219 men) participated in the survey. A questionnaire was applied to determine the socio-demographic information and nutrition habits of the individuals participating in the study. The ORTO-11 scale was used to evaluate the orthorectic tendency. Chi square test and Mann Whitney U test were used. Pearson or Spearman correlation test was used for correlation analysis. Cramer s V coefficient was applied when at least one of the two variables was nominal. Statistical analyses were carried out by SPSS. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between marital status level of education, occupation and gender. In this study 49,8% of the participants are skip meals (Women: 63,6%; Men: 58,0%). Both genders have most often skip lunch meal. In this study mean of ORTO-11 score was 26.3 ± 3.61 for women and 26.9 ± 3.85 for men. 71,4% of the women and 28,6% of the males were ORTO-11 score was 24 (p 0,05). ORTO-11 score had negative correlations with BMI and age (p 0,05). Conclusion: In this study, women had more orthorectic tendency than men and a statistically significant difference was observed between gender and orthorectic tendency.