Contemporary thinking about the role of genes and environment in eating disorders.
OBJECTIVE
To review recent literature documenting how family, twin and molecular genetic studies of eating disorders have revolutionized our conceptualizations of anorexia and bulimia nervosa.


METHODS
We summarized extant literature on genetic epidemiology of eating disorders.


RESULTS
Results of extant studies highlight the underlying biological vulnerabilities associated with these conditions. Genetic research has also opened up new avenues and approaches for exploring how the environment exerts its influence on risk.


CONCLUSIONS
We discuss state-of-the-science findings in the genetics of eating disorders, explore various mechanisms of gene-environment interplay, and discuss implications of this research for science, practice, families and individuals with eating disorders.
Bulik
Cynthia M
CM
Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7160, USA. cbulik@med.unc.edu
Tozzi
Federica
F
D000483:Alleles; D004777:Environment; D001068:Feeding and Eating Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans