Karolinska Institutet study identifies genetic markers for eating disorders

A study by the Karolinska Institutet, published in Nature Mental Health, has identified genetic markers linked to eating disorders, suggesting these conditions are more complex than previously thought. Researchers found that the genetic variations associated with anorexia nervosa and binge eating differ from those that influence body weight. The study, which compared nearly 65,000 individuals with eating disorders against 1.2 million without, identified six genetic markers for binge eating and eight for anorexia, including two previously unknown markers for anorexia.

In the Canary Islands, the Servicio Canario de la Salud (SCS) reported treating 1,100 patients for eating disorders in 2025, with over 7,400 consultations conducted. Health authorities noted that these disorders affect approximately 4% of the adolescent population in the archipelago, primarily impacting adolescent girls and young adult women. The SCS emphasized the importance of early detection through primary care and warned of increased risks during summer months due to social pressures regarding body image.

Clinical research also highlights the physiological and psychological impacts of bulimia nervosa, noting that eating disorders can lead to decreased libido and other sexual health difficulties due to hormonal changes and low body mass index.