She walks us through what we already know, and how information collected from EDGI will help clinicians and patients going forward. Eating disorders are complex mental illnesses. Many factors influence whether someone will develop an eating disorder, including genetics, thinking styles—such as perfectionism—body dissatisfaction, and societal or cultural pressures to be thin. Although environment definitely plays a role, recent research has shown that between 40 and 60 percent of the vulnerability to develop an eating disorder is due to genetic factors.
Our latest global study revealed that the genetic factors that influence anorexia nervosa are related to both psychological and metabolic factors. For example, some of the same genes that increase your risk for developing type 2 diabetes decrease your risk for developing anorexia nervosa. This work suggested that anorexia nervosa is a metabo-psychiatric illness [with both metabolic and psychiatric causes] and may explain why some people living with the disorder struggle to gain weight despite their best efforts.
EDGI is the largest-ever genetic research study of eating disorders. It follows the groundbreaking advances that have been made through another collaborative study, the Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative ANGI , in which our team of researchers identified both psychiatric and metabolic causes for anorexia nervosa.
ANGI was a genomewide association study, or GWAS, in which we compare the entire genomes of large groups of people with a particular illness to large groups of people without the illness to see where differences lie. Many people are comforted to know that it simply means that recovery requires an uphill battle against your biology. Whereas for some people quitting smoking requires an uphill battle against their liability to become dependent on nicotine—for people with eating disorders, this can mean fighting against the urge to binge or fighting against the urge to restrict.
Recovery is possible regardless of your genotype. This biological understanding can help us all break through the stigma that has surrounded eating disorders. We support fighting stigma with science at every turn. The more we can learn about the causes of all eating disorders—binge eating disorder, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia nervosa, the more effective we will be at ridding the world of false myths and developing effective treatment and prevention strategies. Like this: Like Loading Follow Following.
Exchanges Join 12, other followers. Sign me up. Already have a WordPress. Log in now. Loading Comments Email Required Name Required Website. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! It has been established that genetics do play a role in developing an eating disorder. Here are some highlights about genetics and eating disorders: No one knows for certain precisely which genes are linked into the development.
In some individuals with eating disorders, certain identified chemicals in the brain that control hunger, appetite, and digestion have been found to be unbalanced. Family, twin, and adoption studies have shown evidence that genetic factors contribute to a predisposition for eating disorders. Those that are born with specific genotypes are at a heightened risk for the development of an eating disorder.
Some genes identified in the contribution to eating disorders have been shown to be associated with specific personality traits such as obsessive thinking, perfectionism, high levels of sensitivity, and rigidity. Call for yourself or a loved one.
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