Some genes identified in the contribution to eating disorders have been shown to be associated with specific personality traits. They are believed to be highly heritable and often exist prior to the onset of the eating disorder. These traits are:. Genetic Factors Behind Eating Disorders must take into consideration families. Family studies of those with anorexia and bulimia have found a higher lifetime prevalence of eating disorders among relatives of eating disorders [3, 4].
Twin studies also suggest that both anorexia and bulimia are significantly influenced by genetic factors. When looking at the differences between identical and fraternal twins, correlations are two times greater in identical twins of eating disorders [5].
A study by the Michigan State University found that there are genetic risk factors for the development of eating disorders [5]. In a private European foundation, Price Foundation, funded research into the genetic influence of eating disorders [7]. The team looked at families with two or more members who had anorexia or bulimia, and then looked at an additional families with 3 more members who had anorexia or bulimia and compared to a control group of women.
Research results showed results of possible Chromosome 1 and 10 that appear to be significantly linked to anorexia and bulimia. Scientists from the University of Iowa and University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center looked at single families where eating disorders were common across generations [8]. In addition to the study finding two gene mutations, it also found that those who had the mutations did not show signs of an eating disorder when they were very young [8].
According to the Mayo Clinic, they report that these findings are able to help researchers, medical providers, therapists, and treatment teams to see eating disorders as a biological illness, where individuals share temperament predispositions.
It works by a process called methylation where the level of methylation of a gene determines whether the gene is turned off or not [9]. The deadly compulsion to starve yourself, to put it crudely, is not all in the mind but also has something to do with the way the body processes food. Now the evidence is starting to back them up. The researchers involved in this study argue that while the families of anorexics do tend towards perfectionism, the cause and effect relationship might not necessarily work the way we think it does: it might be that the genetically influenced anxious mindset linked to anorexia makes people push themselves too hard.
What about other eating disorders that tend to run in families, such as bulimia, or less compulsive and more common forms of overeating? Are there biological reasons why some people find it relatively easy to eat a sensible, balanced diet and others fight a lifelong losing battle with temptation?
Studies exploring these questions tend to face an irritable popular backlash, because for healthy people, the idea of blaming the sick or, for that matter, the poor for their own misfortune is in some ways a comforting one. This separation may be emotionally threatening to an over-involved parent. The parent then tries to share the cheerleading identity with her daughter by attending daily practices, games and any related social gatherings.
The daughter is unable to develop an identity separate from her mother. She tries to get control the only way she knows how, which is to control how much food she eats. This type of behavior can slowly develop into an eating disorder. Research also indicates that families of people with eating disorders tend to be overprotective, perfectionistic, rigid, and focused on success. They have high and sometimes unreasonable, expectations for achievement. They may place too much attention on external rewards.
Many children from these kinds of families try to achieve the appearance of success by being thin and attractive, even if they do not feel successful. If children think that they are failing to live up to family expectations, they may turn to something that seems more easily controlled and at which they may be more successful.
This often is food restriction or weight loss. Issues within the family may also contribute to eating disorders. Some people with eating disorders live in or came from families that showed troubling or negative behaviors, such as alcohol and drug use. Marital fighting, domestic violence and divorce are also not uncommon family issues for those suffering with an eating disorder.
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