Research

Hormonal

Genetic factors, particularly polymorphisms affecting neurotransmitter systems (dopamine, serotonin) and metabolic traits (BMI, insulin resistance), significantly increase the risk of developing eating disorders, with distinct genetic architectures for anorexia nervosa versus binge-type disorders.

If you have a family history of eating disorders, you may have a biological predisposition. This is not your fault, but it is a risk factor you can manage. Focus on early identification of symptoms and seek professional support if you notice changes in eating habits or body image, as genetic risk can be mitigated by environmental factors.

GoodSupportsHIGH confidence
Evidence of genetic risk factors for other EDs is growing... An individual is 11 times more likely to develop AN if they have a relative with the disorder... landmark 2019 study... found that both metabolic and anthropometric related genetic loci associated with BMI lowering alleles have strong correlations with AN
Sarah Barakat et al. · Journal of Eating Disorders · 2023

Why this rating

Based on large-scale genome-wide association studies and meta-analyses of thousands of participants.

Source

Risk factors for eating disorders: findings from a rapid review

Sarah Barakat et al. · Journal of Eating Disorders · 2023

DOI 10.1186/s40337-022-00717-4

narrative_reviewCited 311×
Read the paper
DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

This is one finding among thousands. Every one is graded and traced to its source, so you can see what the evidence actually supports. Browse the research →