Age differences in genetic and environmental influences on weight and shape concerns

Kelly Klump, Alexandra Burt, Alexia Spanos, Matt McGue, William Lacono, Tracey Wade

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    51 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objective Previous research has shown important developmental shifts ingenetic and environmental influences for disordered eating. However, little research has examined age differences for weight/shape concerns, two key components of eating disorders. The goal of this study was to investigate these age differences in preadolescent, adolescent, young adult, and mid-adult twins. Method Participants included 2,618 female twins (ages of 10-41 years) from three large twin registries. Shape and weight concerns were assessed with the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire. Results Genetic influences were modest in preadolescent twins, but significant from early-adolescence through middle adulthood. Shared environmental factors showed the opposite pattern, with the largest shared environmental contributions occurring in the youngest age group. Nonshared environmental effects remained relatively constant across age. Discussion Findings highlight the importance of age differences in genetic and environmental influences. Possible mechanisms include gene x environment interactions and biological changes associated with key developmental stages.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)679-688
    Number of pages10
    JournalInternational Journal of Eating Disorders
    Volume43
    Issue number8
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2010

    Keywords

    • age differences
    • eating disorders examination questionnaire
    • genetic influences
    • shape concerns
    • weight concerns

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