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Age differences in genetic and environmental influences on weight and shape concerns
Author(s) -
Klump Kelly L.,
Burt S. Alexandra,
Spanos Alexia,
McGue Matt,
Iacono William G.,
Wade Tracey D.
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international journal of eating disorders
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.785
H-Index - 138
eISSN - 1098-108X
pISSN - 0276-3478
DOI - 10.1002/eat.20772
Subject(s) - twin study , developmental psychology , psychology , young adult , demography , gene–environment interaction , biology , evolutionary biology , heritability , genetics , sociology , gene , genotype
Objective Previous research has shown important developmental shifts ingenetic and environmental influences for disordered eating. However, little research has examined age differences for weight/shape concerns, two key components of eating disorders. The goal of this study was to investigate these age differences in preadolescent, adolescent, young adult, and mid‐adult twins. Method Participants included 2,618 female twins (ages of 10–41 years) from three large twin registries. Shape and weight concerns were assessed with the Eating Disorders Examination Questionnaire. Results Genetic influences were modest in preadolescent twins, but significant from early‐adolescence through middle adulthood. Shared environmental factors showed the opposite pattern, with the largest shared environmental contributions occurring in the youngest age group. Nonshared environmental effects remained relatively constant across age. Discussion Findings highlight the importance of age differences in genetic and environmental influences. Possible mechanisms include gene x environment interactions and biological changes associated with key developmental stages. © 2009 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Eat Disord 2010; 43:679–688