Healthcare Professionals, How They Evaluate Themselves About Physical Image, Healthy Orthorexia, And Physical Activity

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to change the nutritional choices of healthcare professionals according to body image, healthy orthorexia and physical activity.

Methods: This study was conducted in a private hospital between December 2022 and February 2023 with 95 female and 42 male healthcare professionals who agreed to participate in the research. A face-to-face survey form was used for healthcare workers and general information, information on health and nutritional status, anthropometric measurements (height (cm), body weight ((kg)), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ-34), Teruel Orthorexia Scale (TOS) were collected, Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ), International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).

Results: The average BMI of healthcare workers is within the normal range (24.8 +/- 4.43kg/m2). There was a significant difference between genders in terms of body shape dissatisfaction, and it was found that women were more likely than men (p<0.05). While the average BSQ-34 score of obese people is highest, the average decreases as the BMI level decreases. There is a significant relationship between gender and BMI in those who do not have body shape dissatisfaction and those who have mild dissatisfaction (p<0.05). There is a significant difference between genders in terms of mood, fitness and body weight control factors in food selection, and the average for women is higher than for men (p<0.05). As body shape dissatisfaction increases, the average mood factor in food selection increases. Age positively affects healthy orthorexia (p<0.05, beta=0.269). The level of body shape dissatisfaction positively affects orthorexia nervosa (beta=0.409, p<0.05). In the case of healthy orthorexia, there is a significant positive relationship between food choice and health (beta=0.326, p<0.05), and a negative relationship between the sensory attractiveness factor (beta=-0.248, p<0.05). In the case of orthorexia nervosa, emotional state is positive (beta= 0.260, p<0.05), sensory appeal is negative (beta=-0.426, p<0.05), natural content is negative (beta=-0.267, p<0.05) and body weight control in food selection. There is a positive relationship (beta=0.291, p<0.05). It was found that 44.2% of women and 45.2% of men were inactive.

Conclusion: It has been determined that women's body shape dissatisfaction, emotional state, fitness, and body weight control factors that they pay attention to in food selection have a greater impact than men, and body shape dissatisfaction affects food choice. It has been found that food choice affects healthy orthorexia.