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Orthorexia nervosa: Validation of a diagnosis questionnaire

  • L. M. Donini
  • D. Marsili
  • M. P. Graziani
  • M. Imbriale
  • C. Cannella
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Abstract

Aim: To validate a questionnaire for the diagnosis of orhorexia oervosa, an eating disorder defined as “maniacal obsession for healthy food”. Materials and Methods: 525 subjects were enrolled. Then they were randomized into two samples (sample of 404 subjects for the construction of the test for the diagnosis of orthorexia ORTO-15; sample of 121 subjects for the validation of the test). The ORTO-15 questionnaire, validated for the diagnosis of orthorexia, is made-up of 15 multiple-choice items. Results and Conclusion: The test we proposed for the diagnosis of orthorexia (ORTO 15) showed a good predictive capability at a threshold value of 40 (efficacy 73.8%, sensitivity 55.6% and specificity 75.8%) also on verification with a control sample. However, it has a limit in identifying the obsessive disorder. For this reason we maintain that further investigation is necessary and that new questions useful for the evaluation of the obsessive-compulsive behavior should be added to the ORTO-15 questionnaire.

Key words

Orthorexia nervosa 
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Copyright information

© Editrice Kurtis 2005

Authors and Affiliations

  • L. M. Donini
    • 1
  • D. Marsili
    • 1
  • M. P. Graziani
    • 1
  • M. Imbriale
    • 2
  • C. Cannella
    • 1
  1. 1.Istituto di Scienza dell’AlimentazioneUniversitá degli Studi di Roma “La Sapienza”RomeItaly
  2. 2.Istituto di Scienze dell’AlimentazioneCNRAvellinoItaly

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