Eating Disorders Have Genetic Roots | Auckland News

Auckland News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Aug 19, 2026 · 2m

New research is rewriting the playbook on eating disorders, revealing they’re not just psychological—but deeply rooted in our DNA. A massive global study, including input from hundreds of Kiwis, found unique genetic fingerprints for binge eating and anorexia nervosa, showing both shared and distinct biological pathways. While both link to mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, anorexia leans toward OCD and binge eating toward ADHD. Surprisingly, genes tied to body weight actually reduce risk for anorexia—flipping the script on BMI’s role. This “metabo-psychiatric” model could…