Genetic Factors

Genetic Factors

Genes play an important part in the overall development of an individual's personality and emotional status. Research studies have shown that genetic factors contribute to more than 50% for the development for this type of eating disorder. Anorexia nervosa may run in the family as immediate family members of patients have been found to be 10 times more likely to develop this disorder. In identical twins if one is a patient the chances of this disorder occurring in the other are greatly increased. The risk is even higher in case of monozygotic twins as compared to dizygotic twins which further highlights the role of genes. Scientists are still trying to identify the particular gene or genes that might increase the tendency of a person to develop this disorder.