Optimal or Obsessive: Mental Skills and Orthorexia Nervosa Among Athletes

Abstract

In sports and performance psychology, mental skills—such as focus, emotional regulation, and resilience—are essential for athletic success. However, their role in shaping dietary behaviors, particularly Orthorexia Nervosa (ON), remains underexplored. ON involves an obsessive focus on eating only “pure” or “healthy” foods, often resulting in rigid eating patterns and psychological distress. Athletes may be especially vulnerable due to structured routines, performance-driven mindsets, and pressure to maintain ideal physiques.

This quantitative observational study examined whether mental skills predict ON tendencies among athletes. A purposive sample of 83 athletes (aged 18–55, mean age = 21.3) from various competitive levels completed two validated instruments: the Unified Mental Skills Assessment Tool-6 Short Form 18 (UMSAT-6) and the ORTO-R questionnaire. Statistical analyses, including regression and ANOVA, assessed the predictive relationship between mental skills and ON. Results showed that 61% of athletes exhibited ON tendencies and mental skills significantly predicted these ON behaviors. Notably, goal setting and competitive anxiety were associated with stronger orthorexic tendencies, suggesting that highly disciplined athletes may transfer their performance-driven mindset to dietary habits. These findings reveal a complex dynamic where beneficial psychological traits may inadvertently foster disordered eating. While mental skills enhance performance and discipline, they may also contribute to anxiety and dietary rigidity if not balanced. This underscores the need for integrated mental training approaches that support both psychological resilience and healthy nutrition. Future research should investigate long-term effects and interventions to promote more adaptive mental and dietary practices in sport. The study contributes to the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 3 of Good Health and Well-Being as it brings awareness to Orthorexia Nervosa is a disordered eating pattern centered around an obsession with healthy eating, which can have both physical and mental health implications.