'Bad Genes' May Cause Teens to Binge-Eat: DNA Determines Behaviors

First Posted: Jul 23, 2015 11:16 AM EDT

"Bad genes" may actually lead to binge-eating. Scientists have found that binge-eating in teenagers may be linked to a gene variation.

Binge-eating can be a serious issue. It involves eating large quantities of food all at once, and is often associated with fasting for long periods, as well. Better understanding this condition could allow researchers to develop more targeted treatments.

In this latest study, the researchers analyzed data from 6,000 teens aged 14 and 16. After looking at the data, they found that if a teen had a particular variation in the location of the FTO gene, they were between 20 percent and 30 percent more likely to binge eat.

"In the future it may also help us create strategies for identifying at-risk teenagers before they get to the stage where they are overweight or obese and face the many health problems associated with these issues," said David Evans, one of the researchers, in a news release. "About 10 percent of adults and teens binge-eat, which we define as excessive overeating with a lack of control over what they are eating. While it's known that a combination of genetic and environmental factors lead to eating disorders, until now there has been limited research into how specific genes increase the likelihood of binge-eating behaviors in adolescence that can lead to obesity."

The researchers found that this behavior was particularly evident in girls. They were about 30 percent more likely to binge eat if they had the variation.

With that said, the research is still early. However, scientists are now getting a better understanding of how these behaviors come about. While part of the cause may be environmental, it seems as if there's also a genetic role.

The findings are published in the journal Obesity.