Anorexia risk 'could be predicted'

Study suggests that subtle differences in brain development in womb can increase vulnerabilityThousands of girls are predisposed to develop anorexia because of the way their brains developed in the womb, says a major new study.The report's authors say children could be screened at the age of eight to identify the signs that make them more vulnerable to risk factors such as the size zero fad and the cult of the super-thin celebrity. Eating disorder charities said the findings, which will be revealed at a conference at the Institute of Education in London this week, could revolutionise the treatment of anorexia."Our research shows that certain kids' brains develop in such a way that makes them more vulnerable to the more commonly-known risk factors for eating disorders, such as the size-zero debate, media representations of very skinny women and bad parents," said Ian Frampton, one of the authors, who is an honorary...

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