Abstract
Binge eating is a complex condition influenced by biological and environmental factors. The heritability of binge eating has been estimated at 38–57% in populations of European ancestry. Studies of epigenetic mechanisms such as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) methylation and gene expression revealed a potential gene by environment effect on binge eating. Sex hormones also play a significant role in binge eating such that the combined effects of estrogen and progesterone may contribute to the vulnerability for binge eating. Genetic influences on binge eating might increase during the pubertal period, suggesting an interaction between genetic factors and sex hormones on the risk for binge eating.
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Wu, YK., Breiner, C.E., Baker, J.H. (2020). Influence of Genetics and Sex Hormones on Binge Eating. In: Frank, G., Berner, L. (eds) Binge Eating. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43562-2_11
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