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Study Finds Structural Differences of Brain Associated With Eating Disorders, Harmful Eating Habits
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Key Takeaways
- Structural brain differences are associated with harmful eating behaviors, influenced by genetic risk and brain maturation.
- Unhealthy eating behaviors correlate with delayed brain maturation and mental health issues, independent of BMI.
The study found that internalizing and externalizing factors, brain maturation, and decreasing volumes of brain regions were linked to eating disorders.
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Research published in Nature Mental Health shows that structural differences within the brain appear to be associated in the development of harmful eating habits, such as restrictive, emotional, or uncontrolled eating behaviors. According to the authors, these findings shed light on the contributions of genetic risk, protracted brain maturation, and behaviors in eating disorder (ED) symptomatology.1,2
For this study, the investigators evaluated links between genetics, brain structure, and disordered eating behaviors in young people. They analyzed data from the longitudinal IMAGEN adolescent cohort in England, France, Ireland, and Germany to investigate associations between eating behaviors, genetic predispositions—such as high body mass index (BMI)—and trajectories (ages 14-23 years) of ED-related psychopathology and brain maturation.1
A total of 996 adolescents (518 female participants, 478 male participants) were enrolled and provided genetic data, completed questionnaires about their well-being and eating behaviors, and had MRI scans at ages 14 and 23 years. Based on their responses and scans, participants were categorized into 1 of the 3 following types of eating behaviors: healthy eaters (42%), restrictive eaters (33%), and emotional or uncontrolled eaters (25%).1
According to the findings, the 3 groups had differing patterns of mental health and behavior over time. Compared with healthy eaters, young people with unhealthy eating behaviors—restrictive and emotional or uncontrolled eaters—at the age of 23 years had higher levels of both internalizing (eg, anxiety, depression) and externalizing problems (eg, hyperactivity, inattention, conduct problems) at age 14. Externalizing problems had decreased with age in all groups; however, overall levels were higher among those with emotional or uncontrolled eating.1,2
In addition, restrictive eaters were observed to diet more throughout their adolescence compared with health eaters. Emotional or uncontrolled eaters had also increased their dieting from ages 14 to 16 years and binge eating between ages 14 and 19 years. These EDs were associated with obesity and an increased genetic risk for a high BMI, the authors said.1,2
“By showing that different unhealthy eating behaviors are linked to differential trajectories of mental health symptoms and brain development, our findings may inform the design of more personalized interventions,” co-author Zuo Zhang, PhD, research fellow at the Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology, & Neuroscience (IoPPN) at King’s College London, England, said in a news release.2
Further, the researchers observed brain maturation over time and how much the volume and thickness of the cortex had decreased via MRI scans. These results indicated that brain maturation was delayed and less pronounced in unhealthy eaters and played a significant role between mental health problems at age 14 and later development of unhealthy eating behaviors at age 23. Interestingly, this connection was unrelated to BMI, according to the authors.1,2
Reduced brain maturation also helped explain how genetic risk for high BMI influences unhealthy eating behaviors at the age of 23. Notably, a reduced maturation of the cerebellum—which is a brain region that controls appetite—indicates a potential link between genetic risk for high BMI and restrictive eating behaviors at age 23. The authors explain that this highlights how brain maturation, genetics, and mental health difficulties all interact to contribute to EDs and ED-related symptoms.1
“Our findings reveal how delayed brain maturation during adolescence links genetics, mental health challenges, and disordered eating behaviors in young adulthood, emphasizing the critical role of brain development in shaping eating habits,” first author Xinyang Yu, PhD student at IoPPN, King’s College London, said in the news release. 2
EDs are serious psychiatric disorders with high mortality rates and substantial impacts on an individual’s quality of life. Their prevalence is increasing, particularly during mid-adolescence, highlighting an urge for early detection and effective intervention methods.
“Our findings highlight the potential benefits of improved education aimed at addressing unhealthy dietary habits and maladaptive coping strategies. This could play a crucial role in preventing EDs and supporting overall brain health,” senior author Sylvane Desrivières, PhD, professor of biological psychiatry at the IoPPN, King’s College London, said in the news release.2
