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Preliminary evidence that estradiol moderates genetic influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors during puberty

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 January 2010

K. L. Klump ,
P. K. Keel ,
C. Sisk  and
S. A. Burt
K. L. Klump*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
P. K. Keel
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL, USA
C. Sisk
Affiliation:
Psychology and Neuroscience, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
S. A. Burt
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
*
*Address for correspondence: Dr K. L. Klump, Department of Psychology, Michigan State University, 107B Psychology Building, East Lansing, MI 48824–1116, USA (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

Puberty moderates genetic influences on disordered eating attitudes and behaviors, with little genetic influence before puberty but large (⩾50%) genetic effects during and after puberty. To date, however, nothing is known about the mechanisms that underlie these effects. Estradiol is a particularly promising candidate, as estrogens become elevated at puberty and regulate gene transcription within neurotransmitter systems important for eating-related phenotypes. The aim of this pilot study was to examine whether estradiol levels moderate genetic influences on disordered eating during puberty.

Method

Participants included 198 female twins (ages 10–15 years) from the Michigan State University Twin Registry. Disordered eating attitudes and behaviors were assessed with the total score, weight preoccupation, body dissatisfaction and binge eating/compensatory behavior subscales of the Minnesota Eating Behavior Survey (MEBS). Afternoon saliva samples were assayed for estradiol levels. Moderation of genetic effects was examined by comparing twin correlations in low versus high estradiol groups.

Results

In the low estradiol group, monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twin correlations for all MEBS scales were similar, suggesting little genetic influence. In the high estradiol group, the MZ twin correlation was more than double the DZ twin correlation, indicating the presence of genetic effects. Findings could not be accounted for by age, body mass index or the physical changes of puberty.

Conclusions

Estradiol may be one important moderator of genetic effects on disordered eating during puberty. Larger twin studies are needed to replicate this pilot work and quantify the extent of genetic moderation.

Keywords

Eating disordersestrogengenespuberty
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 40 , Issue 10 , October 2010 , pp. 1745 - 1753
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

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