Imagine a world where your genes could predict your risk of developing an eating disorder. While this might sound like science fiction, recent research suggests that genetics play a significant role in the development of these complex conditions. But genes are just one piece of the puzzle. In this blog post, we’ll explore the intricate interplay between genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and epigenetics in the development of eating disorders. Join us as we delve into the science behind these serious mental illnesses and discover how understanding these factors can lead to better prevention and treatment strategies.
Genetics
Eating disorders have a strong genetic component with genetic factors accounting for approximately 33-84% in anorexia nervosa, 28-83% in bulimia nervosa, and 41-57% in binge eating disorder.
Multiple genes increase the risk of developing an eating disorder including those involved in appetite regulation, dopamine signalling, and the endocannabinoid system—a vast and complex system that regulates a range of bodily functions including sleep, mood, metabolism, learning and memory, reproduction and fertility, immune system responses, and cardiovascular system function.
While genetic testing for eating disorder risk is currently limited to research, advancements in this field may soon allow for early screening alongside clinical and psychological assessments.
Environmental factors
Environmental factors are pivotal to the development, progression, and maintenance of an eating disorder. Key environmental factors include:
- Diet Culture: a societal belief system that glorifies thinness and equates it with health and worthiness while stigmatising larger bodies and deeming them to be “unworthy”. People who engage in dieting are 5 to 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder.
- Media and Social Media: exposure to heavily edited and posed images can significantly impact body image and self-worth. They can exacerbate body dissatisfaction and encourage unhealthy eating Behaviours in an attempt to conform to unreasonable body standards.
- Family, Friends, and Peers: Critical comments about weight and body shape as well as observing normalised and encouraged disordered eating can increase a person’s risk of developing an eating disorder. With recent surveys showing us that up to 83% of young people have received appearance-based teasing, we need to start considering the impacts of criticism from peers about weight, appearance, and eating patterns and what this does for the development of an eating disorder.
Epigenetics
Epigenetics studies how gene activity can be turned on or off without changes to the underlying genetic code. Although epigenetic research in eating disorders is still in its early stages, it could help explain how genetic and environmental factors interact to increase the risk of an eating disorder.
Studies have observed epigenetic changes in genes related to mental state, metabolism, body composition, and immunity in people with eating disorders. Some epigenetic changes observed in anorexia nervosa appear to be linked to malnutrition and are reversible in nutritional repletion as part of recovery.
Seeking help
Eating disorders are serious mental illnesses that require professional treatment. If you suspect that you or someone you know has an eating disorder, it’s crucial to seek professional help for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Myrtle Oak Clinic: leading specialists in eating disorder treatment
Myrtle Oak Clinic is a specialist private practice for eating disorder treatment. We uniquely boast a multidisciplinary team of highly trained clinicians, including expert psychologists and dietitians who are trained in evidence-based psychological therapies for eating disorder treatment and lasting recovery.
The team at Myrtle Oak Clinic is dedicated to providing personalised, empathetic, effective, and comprehensive treatment for adults, adolescents, and children with eating disorders. Our multidisciplinary approach ensures that clients receive holistic care addressing both the psychological and nutritional aspects of their eating disorder.
Contact us
Contact our friendly Client Care Coordinators on (02) 43 623 443 for compassionate, inclusive, and effective eating disorder treatment to achieve better health and well-being.
References
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Donato K, Ceccarini MR, Dhuli K, Bonetti G, Medori MC, Marceddu G, Precone V, Xhufi S, Bushati M, Bozo D, Beccari T, Bertelli M. Gene variants in eating disorders. Focus on anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. J Prev Med Hyg. 2022 Oct 17;63(2 Suppl 3):E297-E305.
Hübel C, Marzi SJ, Breen G, Bulik CM. Epigenetics in eating disorders: a systematic review. Mol Psychiatry. 2019 Jun;24(6):901-915.
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Memon AN, Gowda AS, Rallabhandi B, Bidika E, Fayyaz H, Salib M, Cancarevic I. Have Our Attempts to Curb Obesity Done More Harm Than Good? Cureus. 2020 Sep 6;12(9):e10275.
Zerwas S, Bulik CM. Genetics and Epigenetics of Eating Disorders. Psychiatr Ann. 2011 Nov;41(11):532-538.
Zou S, Kumar U. Cannabinoid Receptors and the Endocannabinoid System: Signaling and Function in the Central Nervous System. Int J Mol Sci. 2018 Mar 13;19(3):833.
