Eating disorder portion of the vulnerability to develop eating disorders can be inherited, and there is evidence to show that there is a genetic locus that shows susceptibility for developing anorexia nervosa. About 60% of eating disorder cases are attributable to biological and genetic components. Other cases are due to external reasons or developmental problems. There are also other neurobiological factors at play tied to emotional reactivity and impulsivity that could lead to binging and purging behaviors. Epigenetics: Epigenetic mechanisms are means by which environmental effects alter gene expression via methods such as DNA methylation; these are independent of and do not
Eating Disorder Inventory is a separate self-report form used to measure the frequency of symptoms, (i.e. binge eating; use of laxatives, diet pills; exercise patterns). The information provided by the EDI-3SC aids in determining whether the patient meets the diagnostic criteria as set forth in the Diagnostic and Statical Manual of Mental Disorders IV-TR (DSM-IV) for an eating disorder. The Eating disorder referral form (EDI-3RF) is an abbreviated form of the EDI-3 for use in non-clinical settings for use in the allied health professions. It contains 25 questions from the EDI-3 from the three scales that are specific to eating disorder risk. It