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Updating the Brazilian Version of the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale: Reevaluation of Psychometric Properties Among College Students

Year: 2025

Type: preprint

Abstract: Objective: To reevaluate the psychometric properties of the Brazilian version of the Düsseldorf Orthorexia Scale (DOS-BR) among university students from diverse academic fields, expanding its applicability beyond nutrition students. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 689 undergraduate and graduate students from Brazil (72.6% female; mean age = 26.4 years, SD = 8.5). Participants completed the DOS-BR, and the psychometric evaluation comprised confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), internal consistency (McDonald’s omega), and evidence of validity based on construct and criterion-related measures. Measurement invariance was tested across gender, eating disorder diagnosis, and academic background. Results: CFA supported the unidimensional structure of the DOS-BR (χ2(34) = 127.101, p < .001, CFI = 0.992, TLI = 0.989, SRMR = 0.063, RMSEA = 0.063). Internal consistency was strong (omega = 0.832). Large correlations were observed with the TOS-BR OrNe subscale (r = 0.606) and EAT-26 (r = 0.502), while the correlation with the OCI-R (r = 0.151) was weak. No significant correlation was found with BMI (r = -0.024). Factorial invariance was confirmed for gender and eating disorder diagnosis but achieved partial invariance for academic background. Discussion: The findings confirm the reliability and validity of the DOS-BR in a broader student population, extending its use beyond nutrition students. The results highlight the instrument’s potential for identifying orthorexic tendencies in diverse academic contexts. Future research should examine its applicability in clinical and community populations and explore longitudinal associations with mental health outcomes.

DOI: 10.22541/au.175990331.19647871/v1

Authors: Natalia Figueiredo, Ana Maria Feoli, Andrea Zagaria, Monica D’Amico, Caterina Lombardo

Institutions: Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Sapienza University of Rome

Language: English

Topic: Eating Disorders and Behaviors

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

OpenAlex ID: W4414926320

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