The researchers at UCL’s Institute of Child Health analysed data from 6,000 participants in the ‘Children of the 90s’ study based at the University of Bristol when they were aged 14 and 16 and investigated genetic variations associated with higher BMI and obesity risk to see if they also predicted binge eating.
They found that teens with the gene variation had a 20% higher chance of excessively overeating, and subsequently becoming obese.
Whilst the variation, found in the FTO gene locus, was especially prevalent in teenage girls who were found to be 30% more likely to binge eat.
Dr Nadia Micali, lead author of the study, said: “This research offers an important first step towards understanding the genetic risk for binge eating and will help inform how we develop strategies to counter the obesity crisis.
"Eventually this finding could allow us to develop more targeted treatment for binge eating, and enable much earlier intervention so young people don't develop obesity."
Around 10% of the population binge eat, with the most common occurrences in those who are overweight or obese.
The study, published in the journal Obesity, was carried out by UCL's Institute of Child Health based at Great Ormond Street Hospital, its primary research partner.