International study links eating disorders to genetic signatures

The PressThe Post1NewsThursday 20 August 2026 · 3 outlets · 2 reports · updated

In this story University of Otago

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A major international study has found that eating disorders like anorexia nervosa and binge eating have a distinct genetic basis. The research, published in Nature Mental Health, included genetic data from more than 500 New Zealanders and challenges the view that these conditions are primarily psychological.

How they headlined it

First reported by The Press, Thu 20 Aug, 4:00am · 2 reports from 2 outlets over 3 hours
  1. The PressThe Press

    Eating disorders linked to DNA, not just psychology, landmark study finds (opens in new tab)

    Also on The Post (opens in new tab)

  2. 1News1News via RNZ

    Eating disorders more genetic than psychological, research suggests (opens in new tab)