Intrauterine testosterone exposure and risk for disordered eating

Br J Psychiatry. 2009 Apr;194(4):375-6. doi: 10.1192/bjp.bp.108.054692.

Abstract

Previous research has suggested that prenatal testosterone exposure masculinises disordered eating by comparing opposite- and same-gender twins. The objective of the current study is to replicate this finding using a sample of 439 identical and 213 fraternal females, 461 identical and 344 fraternal males, and 361 males and 371 females from opposite-gender twin pairs. Disordered eating was compared across twin types using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2. Inconsistent with previous findings, a main effect of co-twin gender was not found. Our results raise questions about the validity of prior evidence of the impact of prenatal testosterone exposure on patterns of disordered eating.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Twin Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders / genetics*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pregnancy
  • Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects*
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Testosterone / physiology*
  • Twins, Dizygotic
  • Twins, Monozygotic

Substances

  • Testosterone