Context matters: Neighborhood disadvantage is associated with increased disordered eating and earlier activation of genetic influences in girls.

2021 ◽  
Vol 130 (8) ◽  
pp. 875-885
Author(s):  
Megan E. Mikhail ◽  
Sarah L. Carroll ◽  
D. Angus Clark ◽  
Shannon O'Connor ◽  
S. Alexandra Burt ◽  
...  
Author(s):  
Tracey D. Wade

The current chapter reviews our progress in understanding how genes influence eating and eating disorders (EDs) by addressing the following areas: (1) how recognition of genetic influences on eating and EDs emerged; (2) the complex nature of genetic action; (3) what twin studies can tell us about genetic influences; and (4) the current state of linkage and association studies. It is concluded that genes are an important part of the explanatory framework for the etiology of EDs, with an important contribution of the shared environment to the development of cognition and attitudes that may initiate disordered eating practices, and a critical contribution of the environment in providing a context within which genetic risk is more likely to be expressed. We currently have a limited understanding of the specific genes that are implicated, and the ways in which genes and the environment work together to increase risk for disordered eating.


2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (05) ◽  
pp. 627 ◽  
Author(s):  
KELLY L. KLUMP ◽  
PATRICK S. PERKINS ◽  
S. ALEXANDRA BURT ◽  
MATT McGUE ◽  
WILLIAM G. IACONO

2011 ◽  
Vol 42 (3) ◽  
pp. 627-637 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Klump ◽  
K. M. Culbert ◽  
J. D. Slane ◽  
S. A. Burt ◽  
C. L. Sisk ◽  
...  

BackgroundDifferences in genetic influences on disordered eating are present across puberty in girls. Heritability is 0% before puberty, but over 50% during and after puberty. Emerging data suggest that these developmental differences may be due to pubertal increases in ovarian hormones. However, a critical piece of evidence is lacking, namely, knowledge of genetic influences on disordered eating across puberty in boys. Boys do not experience increases in ovarian hormones during puberty. Thus, if pubertal increases in genetic effects are present in boys, then factors in addition to ovarian hormones may drive increases in heritability in girls. The current study was the first to examine this possibility in a sample of 1006 male and female twins from the Michigan State University Twin Registry.MethodDisordered eating was assessed with the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey. Pubertal development was assessed with the Pubertal Development Scale.ResultsNo significant differences in genetic influences on disordered eating were observed in males across any developmental stage. Heritability was 51% in boys during pre-puberty, puberty and young adulthood. By contrast, in girls, genetic factors accounted for 0% of the variance in pre-puberty, but 51% of the variance during puberty and beyond. Sex differences in genetic effects were only significant during pre-puberty, as the best-fitting models constrained heritability to be equal across all males, pubertal females and young adult females.ConclusionsThe results highlight sex-specific effects of puberty on genetic risk for disordered eating and provide indirect evidence of a role for ovarian hormones and/or other female-specific factors.


2010 ◽  
Vol 40 (10) ◽  
pp. 1745-1753 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. L. Klump ◽  
P. K. Keel ◽  
C. Sisk ◽  
S. A. Burt

BackgroundPuberty moderates genetic influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, with little genetic influence before puberty but large (⩾50%) genetic effects during and after puberty. To date, however, nothing is known about the mechanisms that underlie these effects. Estradiol is a particularly promising candidate, as estrogens become elevated at puberty and regulate gene transcription within neurotransmitter systems important for eating-related phenotypes. The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether estradiol levels moderate genetic influences on disordered eating during puberty.MethodParticipants included 198 female twins (ages 10–15 years) from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were assessed with the total score, weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction and binge eating/compensatory behavior subscales of the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS). Afternoon saliva samples were assayed for estradiol levels. Moderation of genetic effects was examined by comparing twin correlations in low versus high estradiol groups.ResultsIn the low estradiol group, monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin correlations for all MEBS scales were similar, suggesting little genetic influence. In the high estradiol group, the MZ twin correlation was more than double the DZ twin correlation, indicating the presence of genetic effects. Findings could not be accounted for by age, body mass index or the physical changes of puberty.ConclusionsEstradiol may be one important moderator of genetic effects on disordered eating during puberty. Larger twin studies are needed to replicate this pilot work and quantify the extent of genetic moderation.


2008 ◽  
Vol 117 (5) ◽  
pp. 348-356 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. C. T. Slof-Op ‘t Landt ◽  
M. Bartels ◽  
E. F. van Furth ◽  
C. E. M. van Beijsterveldt ◽  
I. Meulenbelt ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Shirley Siew ◽  
Susan C. James

Testicular maldescent is the most common endocrine gland abnormality, as 2.7% of mature neonates are cryptorchid. The significant complications are that there is a disturbance of normal maturation which results in diminished fertility and there is an increase in the malignant potential which is 35 times greater in the undescended than the descended testis. It is considered that genetic influences may be of etiological importance and recurrence has been described in some families. It is of interest, that the case reported here has 2 siblings who have also presented with cryptorchidism and malignant tumors.The propositus is 14 years old. He is well developed (described by some as obese) and shows normal secondary male characteristics except for an immature scrotum. Laparotomy showed both testes to be intraabdominal. A hard nodule (0.5cm) was palpated on the medial aspect of the left testis. Frozen section showed the presence of seminoma and bilateral orchiectomy was performed.


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