One of the largest genetic studies of anorexia nervosa conducted to date was recently published in Nature Genetics, a highly reputable, high impact factor, journal. Briefly, in a sample of ~17,000 individuals with anorexia nervosa and ~56,000 individuals without a history of an eating disorder, researchers found:
- 8 genetic variants associated with anorexia nervosa risk.
- Individuals with anorexia nervosa were more likely to carry genetic variants that predispose them to: (1) other psychiatric disorders such as OCD and major depression; (2) lower body weight and fat mass; (3) lower levels of unfavorable metabolic markers such as fasting insulin; (4) higher levels of favorable metabolic markers such as HDL cholesterol; and (5) increased levels of physical activity.
- Anorexia nervosa may be better conceptualized as a metabo-psychiatric disorder, meaning that there may be an important metabolic component to anorexia nervosa in addition to its psychiatric roots.
**Easy-to-read summary of the study and findings: uncexchanges.org/…/anorexia-nervosa-genetics-initiative-an…/
**Original Nature Genetics publication (behind paywall): www.nature.com/articles/s41588-019-0439-2