Anorexia Nervosa May Be Genetic: Scientists

Anorexia Nervosa, an eating disorder where a person starves to change her body image and become very thin, is on a rise in India. It was thought of as a problem of the west till a few years ago.

The reason for its sudden rise, experts believe is that more and more young girls are getting influenced by the beauty and entertainment industry.

The disorder is mainly treated with counseling but now new evidence could change the way doctors' approach the illness.

Mira, has been fighting Anorexia Nervosa for 20 years. A healthy 17-year-old in school she wanted to become extremely thin at any cost.

By the time she sought psychological help, starvation had damaged her hormonal and metabolic functions. She was hospitalised with osteomalacia or severe calcium deficiency and was force-fed to survive.

"You want more attention, are a perfection craving person. If you are not able to achieve that then food comes in because it is the only factor on which you have control, either you eat or you don't," said Mira. She is still visiting a psychiatrist on a regular basis two decades later but the new research could now make detection and treatment simpler for anorexics.

Genetic link

Scientists have found that a gene is responsible for Anorexia, which means that the tendency to develop the disorder can be inherited from your parents. The scientists in US studied 37 families with two or more people suffering from anorexia.

"Earlier thought it was only a psychiatric disorder and metabolic disorder, now this research is very interesting. It adds a whole new dimension to anorexia," said Dr Ambrish Mithal, Endocrinologist, Apollo Hospital.

The discovery will bring scientists closer to identifying other genes causing Anorexia, which may include genes responsible for traits like anxiety and perfectionism even for appetite disorders.

"We didn't know a gene was responsible, if you can identify people at risk early. We can work harder on them and drive home the point about body image," said Mittal.

Mira is worried after knowing that the illness is genetic and this adds a new responsibility for her children. "I am very scared that the problem does not pass down to my children. I have two kids," she said.

Even with a genetic predisposition, doctors say anorexia needs an environmental trigger such as the media's influence pushing girls to become very thin. Families can address this problem by being aware and seeking medical help in time. (NDTV.Com)
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