Evaluation of the Presence of Orthorexia Nervosa in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes and Its Relationship With Diabetes Self-management

Abstract

Abstract Purpose This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between the presence of orthorexia nervosa and diabetes self-management in individuals with type 2 diabetes. Methods The study included 373 individuals with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 18–65 who applied to Akdeniz University Hospital Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases Polyclinic between January 2022 and May 2022. In the study, a questionnaire including sociodemographic data, information about diabetes, nutritional habits, ORTO-R and "Type 2 Diabetes Self-Management Scale" was used as a data collection tool. In addition, height and weight measurements were taken and body mass index (BMI) were calculated. Biochemical parameters were evaluated by accessing from the hospital system. Results 46.1% of the participants were men, 53.9% were women and mean age was 57.5 ± 9.6 years. Low diabetes self-management is associated with an increase in fasting glucose (p < 0,05), HbA1c (p < 0,05), BMI (p < 0,01). ORTO-R scores were significantly higher in the group with low diabetes self-management (p < 0,001). Education level, presence of non-diabetic disease and diabetes-related complication, treatment method are the factors affecting diabetes self-management and ON. While medical nutrition therapy provides better diabetes self-management, it increases the susceptibility to ON. Conclusion ON is common in people with type 2 diabetes. Although medical nutrition therapy provides better self-management, it may increase susceptibility to ON. Level of evidence: Level V, cross-sectional study