For generations, eating disorders have been placed almost entirely within the domain of the mind — understood as illnesses of thought, culture, and emotional suffering. A landmark international study, with meaningful contributions from University of Otago researchers and more than 500 New Zealanders, now reveals that binge eating and anorexia nervosa carry distinct genetic signatures, shaped by the interplay of metabolic and psychiatric biology in ways that differ profoundly from one another. The findings do not diminish the psychological dimension of these conditions, but rather expand the fr
Otago researchers identify distinct genetic signatures for binge eating and anorexia
Eating disorders affect people across all body sizes and carry serious physical and psychological consequences; improved understanding may enable better prevention and treatment.