Orthorexic eating behavior in patients with somatoform disorders.

PURPOSE: Although anecdotal reports suggest a relation between orthorexic eating behavior and symptoms of somatoform disorders, this issue has not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to compare orthorexic eating behavior and other characteristics of disordered eating behavior in patients with somatoform disorders to a sample of healthy controls.

METHODS

31 patients with somatoform disorders and 30 matched controls completed eight questionnaires, i.a., the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale, three scales of the Eating Disorder Inventory-2, Eating Attitudes Test-26, Multidimensional Inventory of Hypochondriacal Traits, Attitudes Towards Body and Health Questionnaire, and Screening for Somatoform Disorders.

RESULTS

The patients displayed higher levels of orthorexic eating behavior, drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, bulimia, and dieting than the control group. In both groups, orthorexic eating behavior was associated with higher levels of somatization in eating and health habits. The control group showed an association of orthorexic eating behavior with catastrophizing cognitions and the perceptual component of health anxiety.

CONCLUSION

The results support the hypothesis of a connection between orthorexic eating behavior and somatoform disorders. However, patients with somatoform disorders do not seem to be at particular risk for orthorexia. Future studies should investigate causes for the relationship between orthorexic eating behavior and characteristics of somatoform disorders in samples of healthy individuals.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, descriptive study with matched control group.