Anorexia Genetically Inherent?
I’ve written about some European studies involving twins and different-aged siblings before. The linked one is in regards to the prevalence and duration of eating disorders wherein scientists were surprised by the results of a long-term study of Finnish twins. New research reported here shows a further genetic link.
Seems that during gestation, an overproduction of estrogen - that would be mom’s ‘fault’ - may lead to differing brain development than the fetus’ peers. This brain chemistry could be linked with the development of anorexia. Recently, results were published that I egotistically claimed credit for, showing that brain function differed in anorexics than those without disordered eating habits during a test-type game.
In these new findings, British researchers studied the results of Swedish twins. They found that twin girls were more likely to become anorexic than their male counterparts. Previous twin studies have shown a correlation between one twin having and eating disorder and the other succumbing as well, but this study shows a more specific nature vs nurture link.
Chemically, should one person have a physical disposition to eating disorders, their monozygotic twin should, too. Fraternal twins would have a lowered prevalence, but still would be more likely than siblings separated by years.
Environmentally, people have raved for more than a decade about the media’s role in eating disorders. How magazines, reality television and Hollywood have promoted eating disorders as chic, necessary and typical - these finding may provide less fodder for these anti-image zealots.
Yes, should one have a genetic predisposition to eating disorders, especially to anorexia, then there are triggers anywhere and everywhere. You truly cannot escape the triggers in modern society. However, should we stop this imaging for a segment of the population that is genetically afflicted? If so, should we not also ban cigarette, prescription medication and alcohol imaging? Those are addictive substances that one with, say, a genetic predisposition towards alcoholism might cave at the repeated sight of.
March 3rd, 2009 at 7:44 am
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