Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
04:48
Control of Eating Behavior Using a Novel Feedback System
Published on: May 8, 2018
Genetic and environmental influences on restrained eating behavior
Ellen Schur1, Carolyn Noonan, Janet Polivy
1Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, Washington, USA. ellschur@u.washington.edu
The International Journal of Eating Disorders
|August 7, 2009
Summary
Genetic factors significantly influence restrained eating behaviors. This study found a substantial heritability component, suggesting an inherited predisposition to controlling food intake.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral genetics
- Psychology
- Twin studies
Background:
- Restrained eating, a behavior aimed at controlling food intake, has complex origins.
- Understanding the interplay of genetic and environmental factors is crucial for public health.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify the relative contributions of genetic and environmental influences on restrained eating.
- To investigate the heritability of restrained eating using a twin study design.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the Restraint Scale to assess eating behaviors in a large twin cohort.
- Employed structural equation modeling to differentiate genetic and environmental influences.
- Analyzed data from 1,196 monozygotic (MZ) and 903 dizygotic (DZ) twins.
Main Results:
- Restraint Scale scores showed higher concordance in MZ twins compared to same-sex DZ twins.
- Estimated heritability for restrained eating, adjusted for BMI and sex, was 43%.
- Found minimal evidence for shared environmental influences on restrained eating.
Conclusions:
- Results strongly suggest a significant inherited component to restrained eating.
- Genetic factors may directly impact restrained eating or influence it via intermediate traits like personality or weight gain tendencies.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Gene-Environment Interactions
Gene expression is a dynamic process that is significantly influenced by environmental factors. This interaction underlies the complex nature of biological development and the phenotypic differences observed among individuals, even among those with identical genetic makeups. Factors such as radiation, temperature, behavior, nutrition, and stress play pivotal roles in determining how genes are expressed. The concept of the reaction range is central to understanding this interaction. It posits...
01:30Bulimia Nervosa
Bulimia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by a cyclical pattern of binge-and-purge eating pattern. It generally involves an episode of binge eating, followed by compensatory behaviors such as vomiting, excessive exercise, laxative use, or fasting, to prevent weight gain. Despite often maintaining a normal weight, individuals with bulimia are intensely preoccupied with their body image and harbor an overwhelming fear of gaining weight. This can contribute to the...
01:28Causes of Social Behavior III: Biological and Environmental Influences
Social behavior is a complex phenomenon that arises from the interaction between biological predispositions and environmental influences. This intricate interplay shapes how individuals think, feel, and act in various social contexts. Understanding these mechanisms requires insights from psychology, neuroscience, genetics, and evolutionary theory.Environmental Influences on Social BehaviorEnvironmental factors, including temperature, odors, and visual stimuli, play a crucial role in shaping...
01:28Human Genetics
Human genetics provides a profound framework for understanding the interplay between genetic predispositions and human psychology. At the heart of this discipline lies the study of how genes influence physical traits, behaviors, and susceptibility to diseases. Each person carries a unique genetic code that subtly or significantly shapes their psychological and behavioral landscape.
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
The complex relationship between genetics and psychology is observable through common biological components such...
01:23Binge Eating Disorders
Binge eating disorder is a significant mental health condition characterized by recurrent episodes of excessive food consumption within a short period, accompanied by a perceived loss of control over eating behavior. Unlike occasional overeating, binge eating disorder is marked by distressing emotions such as guilt, shame, and anxiety following binge episodes. The disorder affects individuals across different ages and backgrounds, with profound implications for physical and psychological...
01:30Regulation of Food Intake
Short-term regulation of food intake primarily involves neural signals from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, blood nutrient levels, and GI tract hormones. Communication between the gut and brain via vagal nerve fibers plays a significant role in evaluating the contents of the gut. Clinical studies have shown that protein ingestion produces a more prolonged response in these nerve fibers compared to an equivalent amount of glucose. Additionally, the activation of stretch receptors caused by GI...