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Journals / KTO Karatay Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi / 2026 / Cilt: 7 Sayı: 1

Associations of Physical Activity Intensity and Cognitive Flexibility with Orthorexia Nervosa Tendencies Among Health Sciences Students

Sağlık Bilimleri Öğrencilerinde Fiziksel Aktivite Şiddeti ve Bilişsel Esnekliğin Ortoreksiya Nervoza Eğilimleri ile İlişkisi

Mehmet Akif Güler(SELCUK UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-0543-2016
Merve Burcu Güler(SELCUK UNIVERSITY)0000-0003-0841-7401
Pages
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Publication Date
2026-10-19
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Keywords: orthorexia nervosa, physical activity, cognitive flexibility, health sciences students, physiotherapy

📌 3 Key Takeaways

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Objective & Hypothesis:Objective: Orthorexia nervosa tendencies may reflect rigid health-oriented eating behaviors.
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Key Findings & Data:Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 492 health sciences students from a public university in Türkiye.
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Conclusion & Impact:Keywords: orthorexia nervosa, physical activity, cognitive flexibility, health sciences students, physiotherapy
🔬Design:Modeling & Simulation
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:ortoreksiya nervoza · fiziksel aktivite · bilişsel esneklik

Abstract

Objective: Orthorexia nervosa tendencies may reflect rigid health-oriented eating behaviors. Physical activity is central to health promotion and physiotherapy, but its association with orthorexic tendencies may vary by activity intensity and cognitive flexibility. This study examined these associations among health sciences students. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included 492 health sciences students from a public university in Türkiye. Orthorexia nervosa tendencies, physical activity, and cognitive flexibility were assessed using the Turkish Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale, Physical Activity Scale-2, and Cognitive Flexibility Inventory, respectively. Spearman correlation and multivariable linear regression with robust standard errors were used. Models were adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and class year. Results: The mean orthorexic tendency score was 22.80±5.76. Orthorexic tendency score correlated positively with the Physical Activity Scale-2 total score and light-, moderate-, and vigorous-intensity physical activity, and negatively with cognitive flexibility scores. In the adjusted model, the Physical Activity Scale-2 total score was positively associated with orthorexic tendency score (B=0.609 per 100 MET-min/day, 95% CI: 0.489–0.730), whereas cognitive flexibility total score was negatively associated (B=-0.459 per 10 points, 95% CI: -0.844 to -0.074). The control dimension, but not the alternatives dimension, was associated with lower orthorexic tendency. The moderate-intensity association did not remain significant after false discovery rate correction. Conclusion: Higher physical activity scores were associated with greater orthorexia nervosa tendencies, whereas higher cognitive flexibility, particularly perceived control, was associated with lower tendencies. Physical activity should be promoted with flexible messages. Keywords: orthorexia nervosa, physical activity, cognitive flexibility, health sciences students, physiotherapy

Özet

Amaç: Ortoreksiya nervoza eğilimleri, sağlıklı beslenmeye yönelik katı sağlık odaklı yeme davranışlarını yansıtabilir. Fiziksel aktivite, sağlığın geliştirilmesi ve fizyoterapi açısından temel bir bileşendir; ancak ortorektik eğilimlerle ilişkisi fiziksel aktivite şiddetine ve bilişsel esnekliğe göre değişebilir. Bu çalışma, sağlık bilimleri öğrencilerinde bu ilişkileri incelemeyi amaçladı. Gereç ve Yöntem: Bu kesitsel çalışmaya Türkiye’deki bir devlet üniversitesinde öğrenim gören 492 sağlık bilimleri öğrencisi dahil edildi. Ortoreksiya nervoza eğilimleri Düsseldorf Ortoreksiya Ölçeği Türkçe formu, fiziksel aktivite Fiziksel Aktivite Ölçeği-2 ve bilişsel esneklik Bilişsel Esneklik Envanteri ile değerlendirildi. Spearman korelasyon analizi ve HC3 sağlam standart hatalı çok değişkenli doğrusal regresyon kullanıldı. Modeller yaş, cinsiyet, beden kütle indeksi ve sınıf yılına göre düzeltildi. Bulgular: Ortorektik eğilim puanı ortalaması 22,80±5,76 idi. Ortorektik eğilim puanı, Fiziksel Aktivite Ölçeği-2 toplam puanı ve hafif, orta ve yüksek şiddetli fiziksel aktivite ile pozitif; bilişsel esneklik puanları ile negatif yönde ilişkiliydi. Düzeltilmiş modelde Fiziksel Aktivite Ölçeği-2 toplam puanı ortorektik eğilim puanı ile pozitif yönde ilişkiliyken (B=0,609/100 MET-dk/gün, %95 GA: 0,489–0,730), bilişsel esneklik toplam puanı negatif yönde ilişkiliydi (B=-0,459/10 puan, %95 GA: -0,844 ile -0,074). Kontrol boyutu, alternatifler boyutundan farklı olarak, ortorektik eğilim puanının daha düşük olmasıyla ilişkiliydi. Orta şiddetli fiziksel aktivite ile gözlenen ilişki, yanlış keşif oranı düzeltmesinden sonra anlamlılığını korumadı. Sonuç: Daha yüksek fiziksel aktivite puanları daha yüksek ortoreksiya nervoza eğilimiyle ilişkiliyken, daha yüksek bilişsel esneklik, özellikle algılanan kontrol, daha düşük ortoreksiya nervoza eğilimiyle ilişkiliydi. Fiziksel aktivite, esnek ve dengeli sağlık davranışı mesajlarıyla birlikte desteklenmelidir.

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Cite This Article

Güler, M. A., Güler, M. B. (2026). Associations of Physical Activity Intensity and Cognitive Flexibility with Orthorexia Nervosa Tendencies Among Health Sciences Students. KTO Karatay Üniversitesi Sağlık Bilimleri Dergisi, Cilt: 7 Sayı: 1. https://doi.org/10.59244/ktokusbd.1971645

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