Eating Disorders Blog

A 2008 study by Michigan State University (MSU) found that testosterone may protect individuals from developing eating disorders. The study provides evidence that eating disorders are influenced by biological factors. Eating disorders were once thought to result exclusively from external stimuli, such as social pressures and family dynamic.

The study featured an unusual participant pool - the MSU Twin Registry. The Registry contains information on 1,200 sets of twins, ages 6 to 30 years. The research indicated that women who shared a womb with (i.e., were exposed to prenatal testosterone) and were raised with a brother were at lower risk for eating disorders than women who were not twins but were raised with a brother. Simply being raised with a brother did not act as a protective factor against eating disorders.

(Source: ScienceDaily.com)

Posted By: jgarcia