Nutritional knowledge as a protective factor against eating disorders and a risk factor for orthorexic tendencies

Creative Commons License

ARSLAN S., Tari K., Öngün Yilmaz H., BAYRAM H. M., ÖZTÜRKCAN S. A.

Scientific Reports, vol.16, no.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 16 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.1038/s41598-026-56827-5
  • Journal Name: Scientific Reports
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, BIOSIS, Chemical Abstracts Core, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals, Zoological Record, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
  • Keywords: Body satisfaction, Eating disorders, Nutritional knowledge, Orthorexia nervosa
  • Open Archive Collection: AVESIS Open Access Collection
  • Bursa Uludag University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined the relationships among nutritional knowledge, eating disorder symptoms, orthorexia-related scores, and body satisfaction among Turkish adults. A total of 1,457 adults aged 19–64 years completed an online questionnaire including the Nutrition Knowledge Scale, Eating Attitudes Test-40, ORTO-11 Orthorexia Scale, and Body Satisfaction Scale. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses were conducted. The mean Nutrition Knowledge Scale score was 81.42 ± 17.61, and 46.3% of participants were classified as having low nutritional knowledge. After adjustment for demographic, health, and lifestyle covariates, higher nutritional knowledge was significantly associated with lower Eating Attitudes Test-40 scores (β = −0.151, p < 0.001), higher ORTO-11 scores (β = 0.126, p < 0.001), and higher Body Satisfaction Scale scores (β = 0.133, p < 0.001). These findings suggest that nutritional knowledge may be linked to fewer disordered eating symptoms and greater body satisfaction. However, interpretation of the ORTO-11 findings requires caution because lower ORTO-11 scores indicate greater orthorexia risk in the original scoring direction. Nutrition education programs should therefore promote accurate knowledge while also supporting flexible eating attitudes, positive body image, and psychological well-being. Future longitudinal studies using updated orthorexia assessment tools are needed to clarify causal pathways and the role of cultural and psychosocial mediators.