A structural modeling approach to determine the effects of orthorexia nervosa and social appearance anxiety on healthy lifestyle behaviors in young adults

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between orthorexia nervosa (ON) and social appearance anxiety (SAA) and to investigate the effects of these variables on healthy lifestyle behaviors (HLB) in young adults aged 18-30 years. Methods: A total of 408 young adult male and female volunteers, with a mean age of 21.7±2.95 years, participated in this study. A structural model was proposed to examine the effects of SAA and ON on HLB. To assess how well the study variables represented the underlying components, we first evaluated a confirmatory measurement model. Subsequently, we analyzed a structural model that allowed for the examination of multiple regression equations involving several dependent variables. Results: SAA had a negative influence on HLB (std β=-0.673; t-value=-8.425), a significant negative relationship between ON, HLB was also promoted (std β=-0.554; t-value=-9.388). It was determined that there is a positive correlation between SAA, ON which is statistically significant (correlation coefficient=0.830; t-value=10.244). Conclusion: It is concluded that the individuals with high social appearance anxiety do not adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors and are more prone to orthorexia nervosa.