With the spread of fad diets and social media, there is plenty of news and gossip surrounding eating disorders and dysfunctional eating. Eating disorders are complex psychiatric disorders with the most common diagnoses being anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. It is estimated that approximately 9% of Americans will be diagnosed with an eating disorder at some point in their lifetime. In recent years, research has broadened from predominantly studying the psychiatric causes and effects of disorders to looking at possible genetic factors as well. A recent study published by the University of Geneva analyzed the DNA of over 20,000 participants to determine specific genomic regions (the areas of the DNA that are responsible for traits) associated with anorexia nervosa, an eating disorder classified by the fear of gaining weight that is often associated with food restriction and under-eating.
The researchers collected basic health information from questionnaires and DNA samples. From these DNA samples, the team was able to analyze the sequences and determine locations of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). DNA is similar to an address book, where different sequences of nucleotides (the building blocks of DNA) reveal the location of certain genes and other special genetic characteristics. SNPs are characterized by a single nucleotide change in a sequence and are the most common type of mutation that can happen to DNA. SNPs are commonly used in genetic testing as their presence can be linked to diseases and disorders. From these detected SNPs, the researchers were able to calculate something they termed a “polygenic score”, which determines the probability of a gene being involved with a physical trait or a disease, such as eating disorders in this case.
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SNPs can be linked to disorders and diseases so using genetic testing to map these can help researchers to better understand the genetics of disease.
Image Source: Peter Dazeley
The calculated polygenic scores showed that there are genetic similarities and differences between anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge-eating disorder. Researchers also found that these eating disorders are correlated with risks for other psychiatric disorders, like depression, attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD), and schizophrenia. For example, bulimia nervosa and binge-eating disorder were found to have a high genetic link to obesity and a high BMI, but the same link was not found for anorexia nervosa. Therefore, it appears that genetic predispositions to a certain weight class, e.g. slim, overweight, obese, etc., can have an influence on which type of eating disorder a person can develop.
This enlightening study reveals just how complicated and multifaceted eating disorders are and highlights the need to continue researching these disorders. When it comes to diagnosis and treatment options, understanding genetic influences can allow doctors to work to create more personalized and effective treatment plans. Hopefully, the combination of therapy, dietary intervention, and genetic data will enable people suffering from eating disorders to completely recover and live happy lives once again.
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