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Genetic and environmental factors contribute to the etiology of anorexia nervosa (AN). The co-twin control design is one of the most powerful methods available to evaluate environmental factors that could contribute to differences between monozygotic (MZ) twins who are discordant for AN. Using available data from a unique and rare sample of 22 Swedish female MZ pairs discordant for AN, we compared personality, life events, comorbidity, and health factors. Twins with AN had significantly higher perfectionism scores than unaffected co-twins and reported younger ages at first diet than unaffected co-twins who had dieted. Consistent with previous literature, more twins with AN reported gastrointestinal problems than unaffected co-twins. Although not significant due to low statistical power, more unaffected co-twins reported experiencing emotional neglect than twins with AN. Early dieting may be a harbinger of the development of AN or an early symptom. Higher perfectionism may represent a risk factor, sequela, or both. Sibling perception of neglect is noteworthy given the impact of an ill child with AN on family function and wellbeing. The health and wellbeing of siblings should be addressed clinically when one child in the family suffers from AN. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

ABSTRACT Objective We examined the association between the genetic and environmental factors contributing to the liability to having ever engaged in self-induced vomiting (SIV initiation) and the genetic and environmental factors contributing to regular SIV behaviors (weekly or daily) for weight control. Method SIV was assessed in 3,942 women from monozygotic twin pairs and 2,790 women from same-sex dizygotic twin pairs, aged 20-47, from the Swedish Twin study of Adults: Genes and Environment. A causal-contingent-common pathway model assessed the extent to which genetic and environmental factors that influence initiation of SIV also influence regular SIV behaviors. Results In the best-fit model, genetic and individual-specific environmental factors influenced liability to SIV initiation. The genetic factors influencing regular SIV behaviors were the same as the genetic factors influencing SIV initiation. Additional individual-specific environmental factors that were unrelated to SIV initiation influenced regular SIV behaviors. Discussion Our findings provide evidence that the underlying liabilities for SIV initiation and regular SIV lie on the same continuum given the degree of overlap in risk between SIV initiation and regular SIV behaviors. Further, the lack of specific genetic factors and the importance of individual-specific environmental factors for regular SIV behaviors highlight the significance of environmental factors in the etiology of eating disorder symptomatology and the non-deterministic nature of genetic factors. Finally, our results suggest that when it comes to preventing individuals from developing regular SIV behavior, intervening at an environmental level is warranted. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2016; 49:421-427) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore age differences in current and preferred silhouette and body dissatisfaction (current − preferred silhouette discrepancy) in women aged 25-89 years using figural stimuli [range: 1 (very small) to 9 (very large)]. Data were abstracted from two online convenience samples ( N = 5868). t-tests with permutation-adjusted p-values examined linear associations between mean silhouette scores (current, preferred, discrepancy score) and age with/without stratification by body mass index (BMI). Modal current silhouette was 5; modal preferred silhouette was 4; mean discrepancy score was 1.8. There was no significant association between current silhouette and age, but a positive linear association between preferred silhouette and age remained after stratification by BMI. A significant inverse linear association of silhouette discrepancy score and age was found only prior to stratification by BMI. Body dissatisfaction exists in women across the adult life span and is influenced by BMI. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We examined the association among current self-reported sleep problems, lifetime binge eating (BE), and current obesity in women from the Swedish Twin study of Adults: Genes and Environment. Method: Logistic regression analyses were used to evaluate these associations in 3,790 women aged 20-47 years. Results: BE was reported by 244 (6.4%) women and was positively associated with not getting enough sleep ( p < .015), sleeping poorly ( p < .001), problems falling asleep ( p < .001), feeling sleepy during work or free time ( p < .001), and disturbed sleep ( p < .001). These same sleep variables, as well as napping and being a night person, were also significantly associated with obesity. The associations between BE and sleep remained after accounting for obesity. Discussion: This investigation offers empirical support for an independent association between sleep problems and BE, which is likely due to complex psychological, biological, neuroendocrine, and metabolic factors. © 2012 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We assessed the impact of reducing the binge eating frequency and duration thresholds on the diagnostic criteria for bulimia nervosa (BN) and binge eating disorder (BED). Method: We estimated the lifetime population prevalence of BN and BED in 13,295 female twins from the Swedish Twin study of Adults: Genes and Environment employing a range of frequency and duration thresholds. External validation (risk to cotwin) was used to investigate empirical evidence for an optimal binge eating frequency threshold. Results: The lifetime prevalence estimates of BN and BED increased linearly as the frequency criterion decreased. As the required duration increased, the prevalence of BED decreased slightly. Discontinuity in cotwin risk was observed in BN between at least four times per month and at least five times per month. This model could not be fit for BED. Discussion: The proposed changes to the DSM-5 binge eating frequency and duration criteria would allow for better detection of binge eating pathology without resulting in a markedly higher lifetime prevalence of BN or BED. © 2011 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. (Int J Eat Disord 2012) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This exploratory study assessed whether maternal recall of childhood feeding and eating practices differed across anorexia nervosa (AN) subtypes. Participants were 325 women from the Genetics of Anorexia Nervosa study whose mothers completed a childhood feeding and eating questionnaire. Multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to predict AN subtype from measures related to childhood eating: (i) infant feeding (breastfed, feeding schedule, age of solid food introduction), (ii) childhood picky eating (picky eating before age 1 year and between ages one and five) and (iii) infant gastrointestinal problems (vomiting and colic). Results revealed no significant differences in retrospective maternal report of childhood feeding and eating practices among AN subtypes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]