Anorexia nervosa is not simply a disorder of choice. There is a clear genetic [cause] for this disorder that we need to incorporate into our understanding of what anorexia nervosa is.

Our study shows a very clear and substantial biological component to anorexia nervosa, and my hope is that this will offer some support to patients and their families.

For centuries, we have been under very false stereotypes and misconceptions about what causes anorexia nervosa.

Genes load the gun, and environment pulls the trigger. These people who are genetically disposed to anorexia nervosa may be more sensitive to those environmental triggers, like dieting after seeing a fashion magazine.

For far too long, people suffering from this disorder have had to deal with the theory that this is all societal, that somehow they choose to have anorexia, or parents have had to deal with the blame placed on them because somehow their parenting style caused this. Now, they know that they really need to go against the tide of their biology to overcome this.

Family studies show that if you have a family member who has an eating disorder, you're between seven and 12 times at greater risk for developing an eating disorder yourself.