Biological, Behavioural, Psychological and Social Predictors of Orthorexia Nervosa Among Young Women in Croatia

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the relationship between
orthorexia nervosa and biological, behavioural,
psychological, and social factors among young women
in Croatia. A sample of 1,337 adolescent girls aged
18-21 participated in this cross-sectional study. Participants
completed an online questionnaire assessing orthorexia and
related factors. Hierarchical multiple linear regression
analysis, including five predictor blocks (biological,
behavioural, psychological, social factors, and health-related
social media engagement), explained 36% of the variance in
orthorexia symptoms. Social factors contributed the most
(10.6%), followed by psychological (9.9%) and behavioural
factors (8.7%). Significant predictors of more severe
symptoms included restrictive dieting, obsessive-compulsive
traits, narcissistic perfectionism, body dissatisfaction,
internalisation of thin and muscular ideals, media pressures,
and higher engagement with health-related social media
content. These findings show the need for educational
programmes and interventions aimed at early detection and
treatment of orthorexia, protecting the mental and physical
health of young women.