Lack of association between food insecurity, eating disorders, and orthorexia nervosa: findings from a cross-sectional study in Lebanon

Objectives To investigate the association between food insecurity (FI), eating disorders (EDs), and orthorexia nervosa (ON) among Lebanese university students. Methods This cross-sectional study, conducted between 2021 and 2022, enrolled 197 students, from various majors, via snowball sampling. Data were collected on Google Forms via social media platforms. Results Most participants (59.4%) declared being food-insecure, without financial support (67.0%), nor financial independence (68.5%). Most did not show any ED (81.7%) or a risk of ON (79.7%). Reported EDs were bulimia-nervosa (6.1%) and anorexia-nervosa (6.1%); 4.1% had a high risk of ON. No significant associations were found between declared FI, ED, and the risk of ON. Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (ORa = 1.31) and higher perceived stress (ORa = 1.14) were significantly associated with EDs. Higher exercise addiction scores (ORa = 1.25) and higher insomnia levels (ORa = 1.26) were significantly associated with the risk of ON. Being employed (ORa = 0.17) and skipping meals (ORa = 0.20) were inversely associated with declared ON. Conclusion FI and EDs were not associated among university students in Lebanon. Research into underlying mechanisms and cultural aspects is crucial to clarifying these associations.