Abstract
Background
The aim of this study was to examine the adipokine (apelin, leptin, ghrelin) and cortisol hormone response and nutritional status of university students according to their tendency to orthorexia nervosa (ON) with anthropometric measurements.
Methods
The study was conducted on a total of 100 university students of different genders (94 female, 26 male) aged 18–25, studying in the field of health sciences, without any health problems. Participants filled out the demographic data questionnaire and the ORTO-11 scale during a face-to-face interview. Apelin, leptin, ghrelin and cortisol hormone levels in the saliva samples taken from the students included in the study were examined by ELISA technique. Number, percentage, mean, chi-square, T Test, Pearson Correlation and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. In all analyses, the significance value was taken as p < 0.05.
Results
The students' average orthorexia score was found to be 27.78 ± 5.712. The frequency of consumption of other vegetables by students with high orthorexia scores differed compared to students prone to ON (p < 0.05). Salivary apelin levels of students with high ON tendency were found to be lower, leptin levels were higher, and ghrelin levels were lower than students with normal tendency (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
In conclusion, examining the adipokine (apelin, leptin and ghrelin) and cortisol hormone response according to orthorexia nervosa tendencies reveals the psychological reflections of ON on physiological and feeding behaviors. Considering the impact of ON tendencies on students' health, it is thought that examining hormone profiles will make a significant contribution and benefit to understanding the health problems associated with orthorexia nervosa and developing appropriate interventions.