Orthorexia nervosa is a pathological behaviour characterised by an obsession with proper nutrition and avoiding foods considered by the affected individual to be unhealthy, which leads to severe dietary restrictions. So far, the disease has not been included in any official diagnostic classification, and nosological considerations in this regard are inconclusive. Aim: The aim of this study was to characterise patients with orthorexic behaviours as well as to analyse the relationship between orthorexia and selected sociodemographic factors and psychopathologies, such as eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and hypochondria. Materials and methods: Questionnaires measuring the symptoms of orthorexia, eating disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorders and hypochondria as well as an author's original were used. The study included 236 Polish respondents aged 18-35 years. Results: Appearance and health were the main motivational factors in the group of respondents presenting with higher severity of orthorexic behaviours (27%). There were no differences between high-and low-orthorexic behaviour groups in terms of variables such as sex, age or body mass index. Increased severity of orthorexic behaviours was associated with lower education levels and reporting high frequency of physical activity. Increased severity of orthorexic behaviours was also accompanied by dietary restrictions (a symptom seen in eating disorders) and signs of obsessive-compulsive disorders. Conclusions: Orthorexia is characterised by the use of special diets and dietary restrictions, making nutritional decisions based on appearance and health as well as reporting more frequent physical activity. Based on the clinical picture, orthorexia nervosa should be classified into the spectrum of eating disorders, with the possible involvement of obsessive-compulsive disorders in its development.

One of the typical symptoms of aging is the deterioration of the functioning level in specific cognitive areas. A significant number of research reports suggest that physical activity over the life course may be conducive to maintaining cognitive efficiency in late adulthood and old age. Aim: Research was undertaken to investigate whether the level of the reported physical activity over the life span can determine cognitive performance in the selected areas in adults. Material and methods: The material was collected from 2019. Individuals aged 40+ were invited to participate in the study. Three independent assessments were carried out in separate groups of subjects (Group 1: N = 120; Group 2: N = 90; Group 3: N = 60). A total of 270 individuals participated in the study. A questionnaire designed by the authors was used to assess the intensity of physical activity. The MoCA test, WAIS-R PL subtests, verbal fluency tests, BDI-II and DEX-S were applied to assess cognitive and emotional functions. In Group 3 the Trail Making Test was also used. Results: Linear regression analyses showed significant similarities across groups. Higher age was associated with lower cognitive performance, whereas higher level of physical activity reported by the subjects corresponded to better efficiency in the specific cognitive competencies. Physical activity was the main determinant of cognitive performance in the youngest study group (aged between 45 and 60 years). Conclusions: Older age promotes cognitive decline. Higher level of the reported lifetime physical activity positively affects cognitive functioning at later stages of life. Physical activity may play a compensatory role and support cognitive competencies in older adults, especially in operations involving executive functions. However, the relation between physical activity and cognitive performance varies depending on the age of the subjects. The older a person gets, the more important the age factor becomes for the level of cognitive functioning, and the observed impact of physical activity decreases.