Girls who have high levels of estradiol, a form of estrogen, at puberty are more likely to develop eating disorders, according to a new study from Michigan State University.
Psychology professor Kelly Klump and her colleagues measured the amount of estradiol in the bloodstream of 200 sets of twin girls ages 10 to 15 years old. Increases in this hormone apparently activate a genetic risk for eating disorders.
"The reason we see an increase in genetic influences during puberty is that the genes for disordered eating are essentially switched on during that time," said Dr. Klump.
This study appeared in the journal Psychological Medicine.
Posted By: Eating Disorders Blog