Despite the fact that eating disorders run in families, there are no known patterns of genetic influence, which further supports the idea that there is a gene-environment interaction at play.

University of California, Berkeley

- Truth 1: Many people with eating disorders look healthy, yet may be extremely ill.
- Truth 2: Families are not to blame, and can be the patients’ and providers’ best allies in treatment.
- Truth 3: An eating disorder diagnosis is a health crisis that disrupts personal and family functioning.
- Truth 4: Eating disorders are not choices, but serious biologically influenced illnesses.
- Truth 5: Eating disorders affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.
- Truth 6: Eating disorders carry an increased risk for both suicide and medical complications.
- Truth 7: Genes and environment play an important role in the development of eating disorders.
- Truth 8: Genes alone do not predict who will develop eating disorders. 
- Truth 9: Full recovery from an eating disorder is possible. Early detection and intervention are important. 

List of the Nine Truths About Eating Disorders

Schaumberg, Katherine, et al. “The Science Behind the Academy for Eating Disorders’ Nine Truths About Eating Disorders.” European Eating Disorders Review, vol. 25, no. 6, 2017, pp. 432–50, https://doi.org/10.1002/erv.2553.

The Science Behind the Academy for Eating Disorders’ Nine Truths About Eating Disorders

Eating disorders come with a number of physical and psychological complications, despite the fact that not everyone with an eating disorder appears extremely thin. The misconception that everyone with an eating disorder is thin may prevent early intervention in treating the disorder. 

Truth 1

Family therapy has been shown to be effective in the treatment of eating disorders, especially for adolescents. 

Truth 2

People with eating disorders may experience ruptures in relationships, reproductive issues, and overall physical complications. In adolescents, eating disorders may affect their trajectory of development.

Truth 3

Eating disorders cause significant changes in neurochemistry, the endocrine system, and brain structure, which all influence cognitive processes, as well as processes that regulate hunger.

Truth 4

Eating disorders do not discriminate. Anyone can develop an eating disorder, regardless of the factors listed in Truth 5.

Truth 5

Eating disorders can cause premature death due to the numerous physical health complications that can occur, as well as the fact that suicide risk is increased.

Truth 6

People with family members who have eating disorders are more likely to develop one themselves; this also interacts with environmental factors that pose an increased risk.

Truth 7

Truth 8

A majority of people with eating disorders recover, and early intervention through therapy and/or medication is key.

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