Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia Nervosa

Anorexia nervosa is a complex and severe eating disorder characterized by an intense fear of weight gain, an unrelenting pursuit of thinness, and a distorted body image. It often leads to dangerously low body weight relative to an individual's age and height. This disorder is marked by significant physical and psychological consequences, making it one of the most life-threatening psychiatric illnesses.
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...

Signs of Puberty

Signs of Puberty

Puberty is a critical phase, typically beginning between the ages of 8 and 13 in girls and 9 and 14 in boys, though timing can vary based on genetics, environmental factors, and overall health. This period is characterized by the development of secondary sexual characteristics and the attainment of reproductive potential. Endocrine changes underpin puberty, with hormonal surges of Luteinizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) instigated by Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone (GnRH)...

Binge Eating Disorders

Binge 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...

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia 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...

Bone Disorders

Bone Disorders

Aging and its effect on bone remodeling is the most common cause of bone disorders. In young and healthy people, bone deposition and resorption happen at an equal rate to maintain optimal bone health.
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...

Sex Linked Disorders

Sex Linked Disorders

Like autosomes, sex chromosomes contain a variety of genes necessary for normal body function. When a mutation in one of these genes results in biological deficits, the disorder is considered sex-linked.

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Associations of disordered eating with the intestinal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids among young adults with type 1 diabetes.

Nutrition, metabolism, and cardiovascular diseases : NMCD·2022

Same author

Perceptions and experiences with eating disorder treatment in the first year of COVID-19: A longitudinal qualitative analysis.

The International journal of eating disorders·2022

Same author

Plasma Concentrations of Short-Chain Fatty Acids in Active and Recovered Anorexia Nervosa.

Nutrients·2022

Same author

Psychiatric visits during the postpartum year in women with eating disorders who continue or discontinue antidepressant treatment in pregnancy.

The International journal of eating disorders·2022

Same author

Course and predictors of eating disorder symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and pandemic-related eating disorder concerns among adults with eating disorders during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The International journal of eating disorders·2022

Same author

Associations Between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptom Dimensions and Disordered Eating Symptoms in Adolescence: A Population-Based Twin Study.

Behavior genetics·2022

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 17, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: May 10, 2022

Shared genetic effects between age at menarche and disordered eating.

Jessica H Baker¹, Laura M Thornton, Cynthia M Bulik

¹Department of Psychiatry, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA.

The Journal of Adolescent Health : Official Publication of the Society for Adolescent Medicine

|October 23, 2012

Summary

Younger age at menarche is genetically linked to a higher risk of disordered eating in women. This suggests shared genetic factors influence both traits, warranting further investigation into underlying biological mechanisms.

More Related Videos

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice

Published on: May 14, 2018

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 17, 2026

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis

Published on: May 10, 2022

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice

Assessing Activity-based Anorexia in Mice

Published on: May 14, 2018

Area of Science:

Reproductive health
Psychiatry
Behavioral genetics

Background:

Early age at menarche is a known risk factor for disordered eating behaviors in women.
The underlying genetic architecture connecting age at menarche and disordered eating remains largely unexplored.
Understanding shared genetic influences can provide insights into the etiology of both conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the genetic correlation between age at menarche and disordered eating.
To determine if genetic factors predispose individuals to both an earlier onset of menstruation and disordered eating.

Main Methods:

Utilized data from 756 female twins (427 monozygotic, 329 dizygotic) aged 16-17 from the Swedish Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development.
Assessed disordered eating using the Eating Disorder Inventory-2 and age at menarche via self-report.
Employed a bivariate correlated factors model to estimate the genetic correlation between the two traits.

Main Results:

A significant negative genetic correlation of -0.18 was found between age at menarche and disordered eating.
This indicates that genetic factors contributing to an earlier age at menarche are associated with an increased susceptibility to disordered eating.
The findings suggest a shared genetic liability for both phenotypes.

Conclusions:

The study identifies a shared genetic basis linking early menarche and disordered eating.
Future research should explore potential biological pathways, such as the estrogen system, and gene-environment interactions.
These insights could inform targeted prevention and intervention strategies for individuals at risk.