Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Study links distinct genes to binge eating and anorexia
Scientists studied the genes of people with binge eating and anorexia nervosa.
They found that the two conditions have some genetic similarities.
However, they also have important genetic differences.
Binge eating was more strongly connected with genes linked to ADHD.
Anorexia was more strongly connected with genes linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Both conditions were also connected to depression and anxiety.
Genes do not cause an eating disorder by themselves, but they may increase someone’s susceptibility.
The researchers say eating disorders involve both the mind and the body.
They believe treatments should be designed for each condition rather than using one approach for all eating disorders.
Researchers compared genetic data from 39,297 people with binge-eating behavior and 24,223 people with anorexia nervosa.
The study identified six genomic regions associated with binge eating and eight associated with anorexia nervosa.
Both conditions shared genetic links with depression and anxiety, but anorexia was more linked to OCD and binge eating to ADHD.
Researchers said eating disorders involve biology as well as psychology and described them as “metabo-psychiatric” conditions.
The findings may support more precise, condition-specific treatments, although the genetic analysis was limited to European populations.
- Who
- An international group of researchers, including Cynthia Bulik and Helena Davies, studied genetic factors related to binge eating and anorexia nervosa.
- What
- Researchers compared the genetic patterns associated with binge eating and anorexia nervosa.
- When
- The findings were published in Nature Mental Health; the articles do not provide a publication date.
- Where
- The study used 27 data sets and genetic data limited to people of European ancestry.
- Why
- The researchers aim to improve understanding of the disorders and develop more precise, biology-based treatments.
Psychological framing
Biological and psychological framing
What causes eating disorders?
Psychological framing
Eating disorders have often been treated and understood primarily as psychological illnesses.
Biological and psychological framing
The study found genetic differences and similarities between disorders, describing them as “metabo-psychiatric” conditions involving both biology and psychology.
Treatment approach
Psychological framing
A broad treatment approach may be used across eating disorders because they share some symptoms and genetic features.
Biological and psychological framing
Researchers said the differences in biology suggest that a one-size-fits-all approach is inappropriate and that treatments should target each condition’s specific biology.
- Study type
- Genome-wide association study using 27 data sets
- Binge-eating sample
- 39,297 people with binge-eating behavior and 1,227,436 people without it
- Anorexia sample
- 24,223 people with anorexia nervosa and 1,243,971 people without it
- Genomic links
- Six regions were associated with binge eating and eight with anorexia nervosa
- Shared links
- Both conditions were genetically associated with depression and anxiety
- Distinct links
- Anorexia was strongly linked to obsessive-compulsive disorder, while binge eating was strongly linked to ADHD
- Population limitation
- The genetic testing was limited to the European population