Abstract
The relative impact of genetic and social influences on disordered eating behaviors (DEB) including binging, purging, excessive
dieting and negative self-evaluations about weight remain an issue of debate. The current study sought to examine the relative
influence of genetic and social influences on DEB. A 7-year prospective analysis of 580 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ)
twins was conducted. Estimates of heritability of DEB were obtained using the DF Analysis Model. Regression equations revealed
the relative predictive value of sibling’s DEB, neurotic personality, maternal warmth and television and video game exposure
on DEB. Heritability estimates for DEB were 0.40 for females and 0.48 for males. Among MZ and DZ twin pairs, female sex, neurotic
personality and a genetic variable component, but not maternal warmth or school related problems, predicted DEB. Contrary
to the expectations of media effects theory, greater media use was associated with lower DEB among DZ twins and had no influence
on MZ twins. These results indicate that DEB is highly heritable and that personality variables may play an important role
in the formation of DEB. This suggests that it is important to control for genetic variables when analyzing risk factors for
DEB.
dieting and negative self-evaluations about weight remain an issue of debate. The current study sought to examine the relative
influence of genetic and social influences on DEB. A 7-year prospective analysis of 580 monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ)
twins was conducted. Estimates of heritability of DEB were obtained using the DF Analysis Model. Regression equations revealed
the relative predictive value of sibling’s DEB, neurotic personality, maternal warmth and television and video game exposure
on DEB. Heritability estimates for DEB were 0.40 for females and 0.48 for males. Among MZ and DZ twin pairs, female sex, neurotic
personality and a genetic variable component, but not maternal warmth or school related problems, predicted DEB. Contrary
to the expectations of media effects theory, greater media use was associated with lower DEB among DZ twins and had no influence
on MZ twins. These results indicate that DEB is highly heritable and that personality variables may play an important role
in the formation of DEB. This suggests that it is important to control for genetic variables when analyzing risk factors for
DEB.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s11126-012-9205-7
- Authors
- Christopher J. Ferguson, Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041, USA
- Monica E. Muñoz, Department of Psychology and Communication, Texas A&M International University, 5201 University Blvd., Laredo, TX 78041, USA
- Ben Winegard, Department of Psychological Sciences, The University of Missouri, Columbia, MO, USA
- Bo Winegard, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
- Journal Psychiatric Quarterly
- Online ISSN 1573-6709
- Print ISSN 0033-2720