Apr 21, 2016 06:36 AM EDT By Mariel Hemingway, UniversityHerald Reporter

Females at all girls' schools are twice as ikely to suffer from anorexia nervosa eating disorder. The phenomenon is allegedly common among female exclusive girls compared to those who attend co-ed institutions, according to a new study.

The study is published in the International Journal of Epidemiology. It revealed that eating disorders like anorexia nervosa, bulimia and others are more likely in female-dominant because it could be "contagious" and spread from female student to another. US News & World Report notes that girls are more susceptible to boys when it comes to anorexia nervosa and bulimia eating disorders.

"It might be an unintentional effect of the aspirational culture of some schools that makes eating disorders more likely; it might be that eating disorders are contagious and can spread within a school," Dr. Helen Bould, Psychiatrist at University of Oxford, said in a release. She adds that the study could not identify factors as to why eating disorders like anorexia nervosa run rampant among similar schools. The researchers did notice that this study provides evidence that there are more students suffering from anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders from certain schools compared to others.

According to WebMD, eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and bulimia can be very harmful to young students. When not diagnosed early, it can lead to a range of serious health problems. It can include damage to major organs like kidneys, brain and heart, lowered body temperature & pulse, irregular heartbeat and more. Anorexia nervosa can be a very fatal disorder, 1 in 10 cases actually die from the disorder due to electrolyte imbalance, cardiac arrest or suicide.

Health Day notes that researchers are hopeful that schools may be more ready and equipped when it comes to identifying eating disorders like anorexia nervosa in students. They could be more adept at having them treated as well.

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