Hormones Released During Fetal Development May Lead to Anorexia in Children

As if we didn’t already have enough evidence demonstrating that anorexia and other eating disorders are real illnesses and not a result of stupidity or a desire for attention, a UK study suggests that hormones released by the mother during pregnancy are related to anorexia. Interestingly, the study revealed that men with a female twin were at high risk for developing anorexia, despite the fact that women have an overall higher risk for the disorder.

The researchers wrote that the most likely reason was because of sex steroid hormones released into the womb during pregnancy.

“A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that in pregnancies bearing a female foetus, a substance is produced, probably hormonal, that increases the risk of having anorexia nervosa in adulthood.

“Because the male half of an opposite-sex twin pair would also be exposed to this substance, it could account for the observed elevated risk in males with female twins.”

Read about one man’s experience with anorexia in Skinny Boy: A Young Man’s Battle and Triumph Over Anorexia.

Contents © Copyright 2007 Kristen King

Tags: woman, womens health, anorexia, eating disorders, men with eating disorders, skinny boy