A new study of twins about 4500 - published in the December issue of Archives of General Psychiatry "- reveals that males who have a twin sister more likely to develop anorexia nervosa than other males, including those with a twin brother. This result supports the hypothesis that exposure to female sex hormones in the womb may be related to the risk of anorexia nervosa. "L 'anorexia nervosa is about 10 times more common in women than in men" - the authors write - "The reasons for this difference are not known, and it is likely that their findings represent an important step forward in understanding the factors eziopatogenici (cases) involved in the development of eating disorders. " Overall, female twins were more likely than male twins, of develop anorexia nervosa. The only exception was for males who had a twin sister. "In fact, the risk is substantially similar to that of pairs of female twins," the authors write. "A plausible explanation for this phenomenon is that during pregnancy with a female fetus, a substance is produced, probably hormonal, that increases the risk of anorexia nervosa in adulthood," write the authors.
"Because the male of a pair of twins of opposite sex would be exposed to this substance, they would be at higher risk of developing anorexia nervosa in adulthood, as was indeed observed in males with twin sister. Most likely candidates are sex steroid hormones. The results of our study are consistent with the hypothesis that intrauterine exposure to sex hormones may affect neural development, with the consequent risk of developing anorexia nervosa in adult life, "the authors conclude. This and many other studies support assumptions underlying the biochemistry of a disorder as complex as anorexia nervosa. Of course, the socio-cultural impact on the disease but there is no doubt that we must dismantle all belief that considers popular and romantic, as well as eminent experts " sector boasted on television and in newspapers, that anorexia is "the sickness of love." This is a serious disorder that should be treated with appropriate medical devices to prevent the most harmful and known consequences.
"Because the male of a pair of twins of opposite sex would be exposed to this substance, they would be at higher risk of developing anorexia nervosa in adulthood, as was indeed observed in males with twin sister. Most likely candidates are sex steroid hormones. The results of our study are consistent with the hypothesis that intrauterine exposure to sex hormones may affect neural development, with the consequent risk of developing anorexia nervosa in adult life, "the authors conclude. This and many other studies support assumptions underlying the biochemistry of a disorder as complex as anorexia nervosa. Of course, the socio-cultural impact on the disease but there is no doubt that we must dismantle all belief that considers popular and romantic, as well as eminent experts " sector boasted on television and in newspapers, that anorexia is "the sickness of love." This is a serious disorder that should be treated with appropriate medical devices to prevent the most harmful and known consequences.
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