Anorexia Gene

With a diet of sliced apples and lean turkey, it may take a while for Megan to gain back what she lost. She lost 40 pounds of body weight in three months. She still fights the powerful force that compelled her to starve herself.

“I just had to do this. I had to get real skinny. It didn’t matter what was going to happen. I didn’t care if I died,” she said.

Many experts are looking deeper than societal factors and peer pressure for an explanation for anorexia. They are investigating a possible gene cluster that could contribute to the disease.

“I think that if there’s an eating disorder of more than one individual in a family with an eating disorder, that family should be aware that other family members are at risk,” said Lisa Lillenfeld, Ph.D and member of a research team focusing on the possible gene cluster.

While the research is still underway to identify exactly what the genes are, it’s a bleak picture for families with eating disorders in their history. They should consider the gene pool as an early precaution.

Megan showed signs of food obsession as early as third grade.

What Parents Should Know

While relatives of people with eating disorders are four to five times more likely than the average person to develop an eating disorder, the average teenager, especially female, is also in jeopardy. A parent educated on the disease could help save their child’s life.

If your child displays some of the signs of anorexia nervosa, experts claimed that arming yourself with information is key. Know the signs. Know the risks. Know how to get help. The most common signs of anorexia are listed below.

A child with anorexia is at risk of developing osteoporosis, heart disease, electrolyte imbalance, reproductive problems, hormone imbalances, and even death.

The sources for help are abundant, but convincing a child to oblige is tough. Most are resistant to help and refuse to admit that they have a problem. The American Dietetic Association (800) 366-1655, The National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (847) 831-3438, and Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention (206) 382-3587 are some of the many resources available for help.