SMK College of Applied Sciences is proud to announce that researchers Rron Lecaj, Inga Medžiūnienė, and Aleksandra Batuchina have authored a scientific research article examining Orthorexia Nervosa and dietary behaviours in Lithuania. The study contributes to the growing international discussion on emerging eating-related behavioural conditions and highlights the important role of SMK researchers in advancing applied scientific research.

The scientific article, “Orthorexia Nervosa – A Health Paradox? Implications for Orthorexic Society Tendencies in Lithuania”, presents findings from one of the first large-scale studies on orthorexic tendencies in the Lithuanian population.

About Orthorexia Nervosa

Orthorexia Nervosa (ON) is a relatively new eating and behavioural condition characterised by an obsessive focus on eating “healthy”, “clean”, or “correct” foods. Although healthy eating is widely promoted, orthorexia reflects a paradox in which the pursuit of health can result in anxiety, rigidity, and impaired well-being.

First clinically examined in Italy (Donini, 2004), orthorexia has since been observed in numerous countries, including Italy, Spain, Poland, Lebanon, Finland, Turkey, Brazil, and Latin America (López-Gil et al., 2023). Scholars have warned that modern societies may increasingly move toward “orthorexic” norms, where strict food rules become socially valued.

Key Findings of the Study

To better understand this phenomenon in Lithuania, SMK researchers Rron Lecaj, Inga Medžiūnienė, and Aleksandra Batuchina conducted a nationwide study involving over 1,000 adults. Data were collected over a three-month period during spring 2025. The study explored orthorexic tendencies alongside dietary patterns and health-related eating behaviours in the Lithuanian population.

The results reveal a strong societal emphasis on eating “right” or “healthy” across all age groups. Nearly half of the participants reported currently following a diet, highlighting how common dietary regulation has become in everyday life.

Importantly, approximately 15% of respondents showed elevated orthorexic tendencies, which may lead to increased anxiety and rigidity around food choices. These findings raise concerns that public health messages promoting healthy eating may, in some cases, unintentionally encourage overly restrictive eating behaviours.

The study identified women as the most vulnerable group for developing orthorexic tendencies. This aligns with international research indicating that women are more frequently affected by orthorexia across cultures, likely due to social, behavioural, and body-image-related pressures.

Dietary Patterns and Risk

Two main dietary patterns were associated with orthorexia in the study:

• A Healthy-Traditional pattern, similar to Mediterranean-style diets, rich in fruits, vegetables, and minimally processed foods;
• A Protein-Rich pattern, emphasising fish, legumes, nuts, and high-protein foods.

While the Healthy-Traditional pattern was the most common, the Protein-Rich pattern emerged as the strongest predictor of orthorexic tendencies. This suggests that individuals strongly focused on structured or “optimal” dietary rules may be at higher risk of developing compulsive eating behaviours.

Scientific and Social Impact

The findings indicate that Orthorexia Nervosa is an emerging concern in Lithuania, particularly among women who follow health-oriented dietary patterns. Many individuals at risk may not be identified through standard eating disorder screenings, as their behaviours align with socially praised norms of discipline and health consciousness.

In response to these challenges, SMK has established the European Alliance for Orthorexia Nervosa, bringing together over 30 researchers from across Europe to further investigate, define, and raise awareness of this condition. Through this research, SMK College of Applied Sciences continues to strengthen its contribution to international scientific discourse while addressing important public health issues relevant to Lithuanian society.