Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to determine the prevalence of muscular dysmorphic disorder (bigorexia) and orthorexia nervosa in male students and to evaluate the relationship between these conditions and self‐esteem.
Design and methods
This cross‐sectional study included 430 male students.
Findings
While the tendency of orthorexia among faculty of sports sciences (FSSs)’ students was 28.8%, this rate was 16.3% for nursing department (ND); for tendency to bigorexia, it was found to be 16.3% in FSS students and 6% in ND. There was a negative correlation between the ortorexia scale and self‐confidence scales. And, there was a week negative correlation between the bigorexia Inventory and the self‐confidence scale.
Practice implications
This study is thought to help understand the factors affecting body image perception and to identify risky situations especially in young university students. It is thought that health professionals will guide the planning of initiatives that will help individuals gain healthy lifestyle behaviors.