Slow growth of brain`s cortex may increase risk of eating disorders in adulthood
Slow maturing of the brain`s cortex -- that helps with self-control and decision-making -- during teenage could be a reason for developing eating disorders as a young adult, according to a new research.
Disordered eating behaviours can be `restrictive` -- involving dieting and purging in which one deliberately limits food intake to control body weight and shape -- or `emotional` in response to negative emotions or urges such as binge-eating.
For the study, published in the journal Nature Mental Health, the researchers led by those at King`s College London analysed MRI brain scans of almost 1,000 teenagers from England, Ireland, France and Germany, taken at ages 14 and 23 years. Genetic data and responses to questionnaires assessing the participants` well-being and eating behaviours were ...
