title: Assessment of the menstrual cycle, eating disorders and self-esteem of Polish adolescents.
abstract: Eating disorders are an important factor in menstrual cycle disorders in girls. Moreover, low self-esteem among adolescent girls may be a risk factor for eating disorders. The aim of the study was to assess the menstrual cycle, eating habits and self-esteem of Polish adolescents.
  
  
  
  The study was conducted from January 2014 to March 2015 and included 623 girls, aged 15-19, from randomly selected junior high schools in Silesia, Poland, in which their menstrual cycle, risk of eating disorders and self-esteem were evaluated. A five-part questionnaire was used to assess basic demographic data, lifestyle and physical activity, gynecological history, as well as Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (SES) and Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26).
  
  
  
  Irregular menstrual cycles were observed in 236 (37.88%) girls; 5.20% presented secondary amenorrhea. Based on the EAT-26 test, 101 (16.21%) girls were indicated being at risk for an eating disorder. Low self-esteem was observed in 340 (54.57%) study girls on the base of SES.
  
  
  
  Girls with irregular menses had higher scores on the EAT-26 test in subscales: EAT-overall score, EAT-diet and EAT-bulimia, while lower scores on the SES. In our study, we did not observe a significant relationship between exercise intensity, body mass, BMI and menstrual cycle regularity. Low self-esteem among adolescent girls may be a risk factor for eating disorders which could interrupt the menstrual cycle.
authors: a School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Drosdzol-Cop
authors: b School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Monika
authors: M
authors: Bąk-Sosnowska
authors: a School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Dominika
authors: D
authors: Sajdak
authors: a School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Białka
authors: a School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Kobiołka
authors: c Department of Endocrinological Gynecology , Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Grzegorz
authors: G
authors: Franik
authors: a School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Medical University of Silesia , Katowice , Poland.
authors: Violetta
authors: V
authors: Skrzypulec-Plinta
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000568:Amenorrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008597:Menstrual Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D008599:Menstruation Disturbances / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D012649:Self Concept; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Adolescent; eating disorders; irregular menstrual cycle; self-esteem