BULIMIA is more likely to affect those at higher genetic risk of being overweight, according to a new study, which could help doctors better understand the “massively underfunded” illness.
More than 20,000 people from across the UK took part in a ground-breaking study, which is the first to show there are genetic markers associated with the condition.
Researchers also found there was a striking difference between anorexia nervosa and bulimia, with the latter associated with a predisposition to a higher BMI.
There was also a clear genetic relationship between binge-eating disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – those involved in the study said this is often seen in children.
Genetics load the gun and the environment pulls the trigger
Earlier studies have found that all three disorders have links to depression and schizophrenia, confirming the strong psychiatric component of these diseases.
However, the new research. found that while there are genetic similarities between all three, there are also notable physical and metabolic differences.
It concludes that a combination of psychiatric and genetic body weight regulation risk could be at play.
READ MORE: Scots entrepreneur who set up CBD business tells of hospitalisation for eating disorder
By analysing the genome of tens of thousands of British people, researchers found that a predisposition to a heavier or lighter weight may be a determining factor.
They studied DNA samples and basic health data, including weight, as well as responses to health questionnaires about psychiatric disorders and eating disorder history.
Previous studies have highlighted a genetic association between a high risk of anorexia nervosa and a low risk of obesity.
Dr Christopher Hübel, from King’s College London, said: “What we could show is that if individuals had a genetic liability to have higher BMI at some point in their life, they were also at risk of having bulimia or binge eating disorder.
“But most probably they would also be at risk of a psychiatric disorder. Then of course you need environmental factors, as genetics don’t happen by themselves. Genetics load the gun and the environment pulls the trigger.
“The research is very important for eating disorders because they are completely under-funded and they are treated as secondary disorders compared to other illnesses such as depression.
READ MORE: Lockdown sparks rise in eating disorder helpline requests
“It’s important that we show that there are molecular, genetic markers associated with bulimia and no other study has done this.
“We were able to show there are major differences between bulimia and anorexia. With anorexia there is a genetic link to having a lower weight whereas those with binge eating disorder have a genetic risk for a higher weight.
“What is similar is that they all share a genetic risk for other psychiatric disorders like depression.”
Researchers are now hoping to pinpoint the environmental factors which could increase the risk.
Figures show there was a sharp rise in the number of Scots teenagers admitted to hospital last year, requiring emergency treatment for eating disorders.
Statistics show 46 girls aged 12-17 were taken to Glasgow’s Royal Hospital for Children last year, compared with 10 in 2019.Almost half came in the final three months of 2020.
The charity Beat warned that lockdown has been a challenge for those with eating disorders with demand for support increasing.
READ MORE: Criticism over use of BMI to prioritise treatment for eating disorders
A report by the Mental Welfare Commission found inequalities of service across the country, including the availability of psychological therapies., with some people accessing support privately.
Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness.
The study involved teams from the University of Geneva (UNIGE), the University Hospitals of Geneva (HUG), King’s College London, the University College London, the University of North Carolina (UNC) and The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
It is published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here