Anorexia Nervosa and Its Related Factors Among Secondary School Females in Tikrit City

Abstract

Background: Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by strict restrictions of food intake leading to abnormally low body weight and an intense fear of gaining weight. Anorexia nervosa is a highly distinctive serious mental disorder.

Method: A descriptive (cross-sectional) study was carried out from 15th October 2023 to the end of May 2024. The study was conducted in secondary schools of females aged (11-20) years old in the centre of Tikrit city. The data was collected using a well-designed questionnaire.

Result: The current was included (700) female students. The frequency of anorexia nervosa was 132(18.9). Anorexia nervosa was more frequent among the older adolescent (17-20 years) age group [77 (58.3%)]. Normal BMI range was the most common weight category among females with anorexia nervosa. A high percentage of patients with anorexia nervosa (13% and 27% respectively) were in the O+ and A+ blood groups. Anorexia nervosa presented more frequently among medium socioeconomic levels, 83 (62.9%).

Conclusion: This study revealed that anorexia nervosa was more frequent among older adolescents and more common among individuals with normal BMI, the study demonstrated significant associations between certain psychosocial factors, such as stress, perfectionism, and anorexia nervosa. There is a relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and Anorexia Nervosa.