Genetic factors important in anorexia

Reported by Susan Aldridge, PhD, medical journalist

A study in twins reveals that early-life neuroticism and genetics are both important risk factors.
People with anorexia nervosa have a disturbed relationship with food that is characterized by an extreme fear of obesity. Their profound weight loss can even put their life at risk. A study of Swedish twins by scientists at the University of North Carolina now reveals that there is an important genetic factor involved in anorexia.

They studied 31,406 twins on the Swedish Twin Registry and found 1.2 per cent of the women and 0.29 per cent of the men had anorexia. The disorder appears to be around 56 per cent heritable, the rest of the risk being attributed to environmental factors. Those born after 1945 were more likely to have anorexia than those born before.

The researchers studied various possible predictors of anorexia. These included excessive exercise, stomach problems, perceived stress, extrovert personality, and neuroticism, characterised by low self-esteem, emotional instability and feelings of depression, anxiety and guilt. Of these, only neuroticism was identified as a risk factor for anorexia in everyday life. The study also showed that, not surprisingly perhaps, individuals with anorexia were protected from developing overweight or obesity as they got older.

Source
Archives of General Psychiatry March 2006 Volume 63 pages 305-312

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