A new study has found that a biological factor may play an important part in the development of eating disorders in girls during puberty. The study was conducted by researchers from Michigan State University (MSU).

It was revealed in the study that the genes of girls who have higher levels of estradiol at puberty are at an increased risk of developing eating disorders. Estradiol is the main form of estrogen in women's bodies. The hormone plays a vital role in the development of secondary sex characteristics and bone development in the women’s bodies.

It was confirmed by the researchers that the increase in genetic influences during puberty leads to increased chances of developing eating disorders later. It was stressed that increase in estradiol levels can lead to activation of genetic risk for eating disorders.

However, the researchers were still not able to identify the genes that were responsible for activating eating disorders. It was also pointed that other factors which can lead to the development of these disorders include environmental factors and a genetic link, wherein someone has a family history of eating disorders.

As part of this study, 200 girls between the age of 10 and 15 had their amount of estradiol in the bloodstream analyzed. The results of the latest study have been published in the journal Psychological Medicine.