When patients look at their family medical histories, the first thing they probably look for is diabetes, cancer or heart disease. It’s true that those health issues can show up in family histories, but they’re not the only things that you can be looking for. Eating disorders can be linked genetically just like heart disease [...]
Tag Archives: genetics
Eating Disorders: 4 Potential Causes
Experts have long known that eating disorders generally develop when there is a combination of persistent and continuous behavioral, emotional, biological, environmental, psychological, societal and interpersonal factors. However, no matter how many studies or sample groups are analyzed, the specific cause of any eating disorder is unique to the individual sufferer.
I Found a Pair of Genes that Fit Perfectly!
So I was going through a box of old family photographs today, and I found a picture of my grandmother when she was my age. I did a double take because I almost thought it was me. As I looked at the picture some more I realized that I had a body very, very similar to hers. I had her legs, her feet, her hands, and yes even her smile. My grandmother was one of my best friends and I was so blessed to have had her in my life for as long as I did.
Is Anorexia Genetic?
Mental health professionals have long noted a higher likelihood of a child of an anorexic parent developing the eating disorder. In the medical community there have been many theories ranging from environmental influences to genetics to explain the statistically significant number of familial cases of anorexia nervosa.
Siblings with Eating Disorders
It is typical for brothers and sisters of patients with eating disorders to feel overwhelmed by how the disease is affecting their sibling. This frequently instills fear and, rather than seeking answers, siblings tend to retreat or respond with anger and resentment.
Are Eating Disorders Genetic?
Even among mental health professionals, theories about the causes of and reasons for eating disorders have traditionally attributed environmental and socio-cultural influences as primary contributory factors. While this focus is not entirely inappropriate, it only looks at part of the picture