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The association between emotional eating and depressive symptoms: a population-based twin study in Sri Lanka

Herle, Moritz P.; Kan, Carol; Jayaweera, Kaushalya; Adikari, Anushka; Siribaddana, Sisira; Zavos, Helena M. S.; Smolkina, Milana; Sumathipala, Athula; Llewellyn, Clare; Ismail, Khalida; Hotopf, Matthew; Treasure, Janet; Rijsdijk, Fruhling

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Authors

Moritz P. Herle

Carol Kan

Kaushalya Jayaweera

Anushka Adikari

Sisira Siribaddana

Helena M. S. Zavos

Milana Smolkina

Athula Sumathipala

Clare Llewellyn

Khalida Ismail

Matthew Hotopf

Janet Treasure

Fruhling Rijsdijk



Abstract

This study investigated the genetic and environmental contributions to emotional overeating (EOE) and depressive symptoms, and their covariation, in a Sri-Lankan population, using genetic model-fitting analysis. In total, 3957 twins and singletons in the Colombo Twin and Singleton Study-Phase 2 rated their EOE behaviour and depressive symptoms, which were significantly associated (men: r = 0.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.06–0.16, women: r = 0.12, 95% CI 0.07–0.16). Non-shared environmental factors explained the majority of variance in men (EOE e2 = 87%, 95% CI 78–95%; depressive symptoms e2 = 72%, 95% CI 61–83%) and women (EOE e 2 = 76%, 95% CI 68–83%; depressive symptoms e2 = 64%, 95% CI 55–74%). Genetic factors were more important for EOE in women (h2 = 21%, 95% CI 4–32%) than men (h2 = 9%, 95% CI 0–20%). Shared-environmental factors were more important for depressive symptoms in men (c2 = 25%, 95% CI 10–36%) than women (c 2 = 9%, 95% CI 0–35%). Non-shared environmental factors explained the overlap between depressive symptoms and EOE in women but not in men. Results differed from high-income populations, highlighting the need for behavioural genetic research in global populations.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 12, 2019
Online Publication Date May 8, 2019
Publication Date May 8, 2019
Journal Global Health, Epidemiology and Genomics
Print ISSN 2054-4200
Publisher Hindawi
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 4
Article Number e4
Pages 699 - 699
DOI https://doi.org/10.1017/gheg.2019.3
Keywords depression; emotional eating; global health; non-western population; twin research
Publisher URL https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/global-health-epidemiology-and-genomics/article/association-between-emotional-eating-and-depressive-symptoms-a-populationbased-twin-study-in-sri-lanka/0FBB80A3E290F0F3CD181CB028C90C24

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