A team of scientists is launching a global research to see if anorexia and other eating disorders are triggered by the genes.
The study will be led by the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, an Australian-based research society, and will coordinate with other countries such as the United States, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Ireland and Finland.
Cynthia Bulik, director of the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, has confirmed to represent the U.S. She believes that up to 60 percent of the anorexia cases are related to the genetic composition of the patients.
Anorexia, or anorexia nervosa, is an eating disorder characterized by excessive food restraint and unreasonable fear of gaining weight, as well as view of having a distorted body. A normal individual who experiences hunger will feel irritated but anorexia patients find it relaxing.
Nick Martin, lead researcher of QIMR, thought of studying if there is a link between anorexia and the genes. It has been proven before that the genes may trigger schizophrenia, a mental disorder, on an individual. The scientists are now thinking that this may be the same for anorexia.
The study aims to identify the specific gene causing anorexia and develop a way to control it. They would also like to know if age is another factor since it has been observed that most patients suffering from eating disorders range from ages 30 to 40.
About 8,000 current and former anorexia patients will participate in this global study. The result of the research is expected to be completed in two to three years.
Based on the statistics posted in the website of South Carolina Department of Mental Health, about eight million of the American population have an eating disorder- seven million of them are women. One out of five people with anorexia dies early due to the complications related to their disease such as suicide and heart problems.
