Gender differences in binge-eating: a population-based twin study.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether genetic and environmental effects on liability to binge-eating (BE) are of equal importance for males and females and whether the same genetic risk factors predispose to BE in the two sexes.


METHODS
Questionnaire data on 8045 same sex and opposite sex twins, aged 19-31 years, from a population-based Norwegian registry, was used to estimate the relative contribution of genetic and environmental factors to liability for BE utilizing structural equation modeling.


RESULTS
In the best-fitting model, the magnitude of genetic and environmental effects on BE was the same for males and females. Heritability was 51%. The correlation between genetic risk factors in men and women was estimated to be +0.57.


CONCLUSIONS
Binge-eating appears to be equally heritable in males and females. Although the majority of the genetic risk factors are shared between the sexes, there may exist gender-specific genetic effects on liability.
Reichborn-Kjennerud
T
T
Department of Epidemiology, The Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway. ted.reichborn-kjennerud@fhi.no
Bulik
C M
CM
Kendler
K S
KS
Røysamb
E
E
Maes
H
H
Tambs
K
K
Harris
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D002032:Bulimia / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology*; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004777:Environment; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008957:Models, Genetic; D015233:Models, Statistical; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires