Factors associated with disordered feeding among high school students in Kerman City, Iran

Mental health problems and disordered eating, are more common in adolescents. This study investigated relationship between mental health and disordered eating in high school girls in southeast Iran.

This cross-sectional descriptive correlational study accomplished in high school girls of Kerman at the southeast of Iran in 2019. Using three parts demographic, Standard General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-28) and Eating Attitudes questionnaire, (Eat-26) with three subscales: eating habits, desire to eat and oral control. We investigated high school girl's mental health and relationship with disordered eating with cluster sampling method (600 high school girl). Multivariate logistic regression was used to determine the association between significant variables and the risk of General Health (Yes/No) and Eating attitude (Yes/No). Spearman correlation test, Mann-Witheny U test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used, and Significant level was considered at P < 0.05.

A direct and significant relationship between mental health and disordered eating (r = 0/19, P < 0.001). In other words, the higher the mental health disorder score, the higher the disordered eating score, and the higher disordered eating score, the higher mental problems. There was a direct and significant relationship between mental health and all aspects of disordered eating including eating habits (r = 0/12, P < 0.05), desire to eat (r = 0/1, P < 0.05) and oral control (r = 0/14, P < 0.001).

It seems that the disordered eating and mental health have a determinant role in relationship with each other. Therefore, prevention and health promotion programs should be implemented to improve female adolescent mental health and reduce disordered eating.