Vegetarian and vegan diets were linked with higher orthorexia symptom scores
These diets were associated with more symptoms of obsessive healthy eating, but the studies could not establish cause.
Based on the published abstract. The full paper may contain additional methods, results and limitations.
The 30-second takeaway
Adults following vegetarian or vegan diets reported more orthorexia symptoms than omnivores in the pooled studies. Because all included studies were cross-sectional, the association cannot show whether diet preceded symptoms or symptoms influenced diet choice. It also does not mean that everyone following these diets has an eating disorder.
The authors reported high variation between studies and low overall methodological quality. These limitations weaken confidence in how consistently the pooled association applies.
What researchers found
Higher orthorexia symptom scores
Standardized mean difference for vegetarian/vegan versus omnivorous diets, measured cross-sectionally; assessment dates were not reported.
Symptoms on a standardized scale
The main result compares symptom scores on a standardized scale. It does not describe a percentage increase in symptoms, and the review's outcome was symptoms rather than a confirmed diagnosis.
Vegetarian and vegan comparisons
The reported associations for vegetarian and vegan diets did not differ significantly from each other. That finding does not establish that the diets are equivalent, particularly given the substantial variation across studies.
The original publication
The Associations Between Vegetarian and Vegan Diets and Orthorexia Nervosa Symptoms in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
Díaz-Goñi V, Bizzozero-Peroni B, Visier-Alfonso ME et al.
Int J Eat Disord · 2026
- PubMed ID
- 41230622
- Record checked
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