Perfectionistic self-presentation and orthorexia in exercisers

Purpose: The present study aimed to provide the first examination of whether perfectionistic self-presentation – an interpersonal expression of perfectionism – is related to orthorexia. Methods: We recruited a sample of 150 exercisers (Mean age = 27.7 years). Participants completed the Perfectionistic Self-Presentation Scale and the ORTO-15 on a single occasion. Results: Two dimensions of perfectionistic self-presentation – perfectionistic self-promotion and nondisplay of imperfection – showed significant positive correlations with orthorexia. In addition, in multiple regression analyses controlling for the overlap between dimensions, perfectionistic self-promotion emerged as the strongest and only significant predictor of orthorexia. Conclusion: Perfectionistic self-presentation is positively associated with orthorexia in exercisers. Perfectionistic self-promotion – a need to portray an image of perfection to others – is primarily responsible for this relationship