Eating Disorders Blog

According to a new study, the loss of a key segment of DNA could be to blame for severe obesity in some children. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Cambridge in collaboration with the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, included 300 severely obese children. Some of the children had already been placed on the social services "at risk" register, based on the assumption that their parents were intentionally overfeeding them. These children have now been removed from this list.

The study examined each child's entire genome for deletions or duplication of DNA, known as copy number variants (CNVs). Researchers compared the DNA profiles of obese children with peers of normal weight and found that in obese children certain parts of the genome were missing. Specifically, researchers identified a missing part of chromosome 16, which appeared to be strongly linked to severe obesity.

Researcher Dr. Sadaf Farooqi commented on the results: "Our results suggest that one particular gene on chromosome 16 called SH2B1 plays a key role in regulating weight and also in handling blood sugar levels. ..People with deletions involving this gene had a strong drive to eat and gained weight very easily.

"It adds to the growing weight of evidence that a wide range of genetic variants can produce a strong drive to eat. We hope that this will alter attitudes and practices amongst those with professional responsibility for the health and well-being of children."

(Source: news.bbc.co.uk)

Labels: childhood-obesity, genetics

Posted By: Aspen Education Group 0 Comments

Anorexia nervosa is a deadly eating disorder. It has the highest mortality rate of any psychiatric illness.

Historically, anorexia was believed to be induced by environmental factors such as home environment and social pressures. In the past few years, however, research has discovered that genetics play a significant role in the development of eating disorders. Experts currently estimate that 50 percent of the risk of developing an eating disorder is inherited.

In a recent story by a Denver-area news station, Dr. Ken Weiner said, "We know that there are multiple genes and they are closely related to anxiety, depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorders. ... If your mother or your sister has anorexia and you are a young woman, you are 12 times more likely to have anorexia nervosa in your lifetime and four times more likely to have bulimia nervosa."

Dr. Weiner was careful to say, however, that genes alone are not enough to trigger an eating disorder. "Genes load the gun, life pulls the trigger. With anorexia nervosa, if you never go on a diet or precipitously lose weight due to a medical condition, you never develop anorexia nervosa."

(Source: www.thedenverchannel.com)

Labels: eating disorder, anorexia, genetics

Posted By: Staff Writer 1 Comment

Though scientists have speculated for years about genetic influences in the development of eating disorders, a groundbreaking study has finally found evidence. Researchers from Michigan State University found a connection between eating disorders and a type of estrogen called estradiol.

The study] found that influence of one’s genes on eating disorder symptoms was much greater in pubertal girls with higher levels of estradiol than pubertal girls with lower levels of estradiol. …

Lead investigator Kelly Klump, MSU associate professor of psychology, said previous research had established that eating disorders are influenced by both genetic and environmental factors… The underlying effects of the genes, however, were unknown.” [Source: Michigan State University]

Though the actual genes associated with eating disorders have yet to be discovered, finding what triggers them is a significant step forward.

Labels: genetics

Posted By: Eating Disorders Blog 0 Comments

Anorexia nervosa is primarily a disease of the mind. Doctors have known this for years. Now, improvements in MRI technology are helping doctors focus in on the biological – and possibly genetic – links to the disease.

“In one study, participants were given a taste of sugar. In healthy people, the insula and frontal cortex areas of the brain lit up, signaling ‘Wow, that tastes good.’ That pleasure light didn’t turn on in the anorexic’s brain. Dr. [Walter] Kaye says they may literally not recognize when they’re hungry or when something tastes good.” [Source: KABC-TV (L.A.)]

Not only is the MRI enabling doctors to study brain activity and genetic traits that may make a person pre-disposed to anorexia, it also allows them to develop new biological treatments, and not just psychological ones.

Labels: anorexia, genetics

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

When people talk, or write, about the causes of eating disorders, many blame the media and the fashion industry. All those ultra-skinny models must be triggering eating disorders in our kids, right?

Well, some new research is calling that theory into question.

“Dr. [Walter] Kaye says traits that contribute to developing anorexia are genetic. ‘Heritability is a much more powerful influence than culture is,’ said Dr. Kaye. So, what’s the difference between an anorexic brain and a healthy one? In one study, participants were given a taste of sugar. In healthy people, the insula and frontal cortex areas of the brain lit up, signaling a ‘wow that tastes good!’ That pleasure light didn’t turn on in the anorexic’s brain.” [WLS-TV (Chicago)]

Studies like this one are helping doctors and counseling make important progress in not only understanding what triggers eating disorders, but understanding how better to treat them.

Labels: awareness, media, genetics

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment