Genetic risk factors for disordered eating in adolescent males and females

J Abnorm Psychol. 2009 Aug;118(3):576-86. doi: 10.1037/a0016314.

Abstract

The etiologic role of genetic and environmental factors on disordered eating was examined in a sample of 15- to 17-year-old female-female, male-male, and opposite-sex twin pairs. Also assessed was whether a single factor is underlying 3 facets (body dissatisfaction, drive for thinness, bulimia) of disordered eating, including the possible importance of sex differences. Univariate model-fitting analyses indicated that genetic factors are more important for girls and environment more important for boys for body dissatisfaction and drive for thinness. A multivariate common factor analysis indicated that a single factor accounted for the association among these 3 facets of disordered eating in both sexes. However, only 50% of the genetic risk for this factor is shared between the sexes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Anorexia Nervosa / diagnosis
  • Anorexia Nervosa / genetics*
  • Anorexia Nervosa / psychology
  • Body Image
  • Bulimia Nervosa / diagnosis
  • Bulimia Nervosa / genetics*
  • Bulimia Nervosa / psychology
  • Diseases in Twins / diagnosis
  • Diseases in Twins / genetics*
  • Diseases in Twins / psychology
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Genotype*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Models, Genetic
  • Motivation
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Personality Inventory / statistics & numerical data
  • Psychometrics
  • Risk Factors
  • Sex Factors
  • Social Environment
  • Thinness / diagnosis
  • Thinness / genetics
  • Thinness / psychology
  • Twins, Dizygotic / genetics
  • Twins, Dizygotic / psychology
  • Twins, Monozygotic / genetics
  • Twins, Monozygotic / psychology