Having a twin is linked with anorexia, puzzling researchers

Being a twin or a triplet may increase a person’s risk of developing anorexia, a new study from Sweden suggests. …

Children from multiple births(i.e., twins and triplets) were 33 percent more likely to be diagnosed with anorexia later in life compared to children from single births, the study found. …

Usually, any health differences between children from multiple births and those from single births can be attributed to prematurity (because twins and triplets are often born at least slightly preterm), Goodman said. But in this study, twins and triplets were at higher risk for anorexia, regardless of whether they were preterm, Goodman said.

The researcher said she was perplexed by the link.