Predicting adolescent disordered eating and behaviours: exploring environmental moderators of polygenic risk

Background: Both genetic and environmental factors contribute to the risk of developing disordered eating, with twin studies demonstrating environmental factors moderate genetic susceptibility. To date, gene–environment interactions leveraging polygenic risk scores (PRS) have not been studied in disordered eating phenotypes beyond anorexia nervosa (AN). This study investigated if polygenic risk for AN interacts with established environmental eating disorder risk factors (parental expectations, parental criticism, parental conflict, parental care and weight-related peer teasing) to predict overall levels of disordered eating in the general population or specific lifetime disordered eating behaviours (avoidance of eating, objective bulimic episodes, self-induced vomiting and driven exercise). 

Methods: PRS were calculated using summary statistics from the largest AN genome-wide association study. Environmental factors were assessed via telephone interview using standardized measures. Analyses were performed using genome-wide complex trait analysis to test whether parental expectations, criticism, conflict or care, or weight-related peer teasing interacted with AN PRS to predict disordered eating outcomes in our sample (n = 383). 

Results: The analyses revealed significant main effects of parental expectations, parental criticism, parental care, and weight-related peer teasing on at least one disordered eating outcome. All environmental variables moderated the association between AN PRS and at least one disordered eating outcome by either increasing risk (parental expectations, parental criticism, parental conflict, weight-related peer teasing) or lowering risk (parental care). 

Conclusions: Findings highlight the complex interplay between genetic and environmental factors in disordered eating development and emphasize the importance of personalized interventions that consider both genetic predisposition and environmental influences.