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AAP News Vol. 15 No. 1 January 1999, p. 2 © 1999 American Academy of Pediatrics
High serotonin levels may be inherited and contribute to the onset of bulimia nervosa (BN), according to a Pittsburgh study. Our cultural environment's focus on body image often is cited as one reason why women develop eating disorders, including BN. The authors, however, point out that while all women are exposed to messages about slimness, only a small percentage are bulimic or anorexic. They suggest an underlying biological predisposition may put some people at risk for developing BN.
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