CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Nature versus nurture. UNC researchers are looking for at least 6,000 participants for the world's largest eating disorder genetics study.

The groundbreaking eating disorders genetics initiative aims to identify the hundreds of genes that influence a person’s risk of developing anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating disorder. The goal is to improve treatment and ultimately save lives.

Last year, a similar study headed by UNC'S Cynthia Bulik and her team, focused only on anorexia.

“We identified the first eight regions of the genome that are associated with anorexia nervosa and also identified both psychiatric and metabolic origins to the illness," Bulik says. "So, this is the next step.”

The research is focusing on both environmental and genetic causes of eating disorders. Bulik says both contribute, and their job is to find out how they both play a role.

She says the current one-size-fits-all approach has to change.

“Right now we have one FDA approved medication for bulimia, one FDA approved medication for binge eating disorder, zero FDA approved medications for anorexia nervosa," Bulik says. "And, that’s because we don’t understand the biology.”

Once they understand, they can start to intervene at the biological level.

A simple saliva sample and information from questionnaires could reveal some biological pathways as to what goes on in your body biologically that can make you at risk, sustain or affect the course of your eating disorder.

“We need to intervene early to give people the best hope for a positive outcome,” Bulik says.

Participants need to be at least 18 and currently have, or at any point in their life experienced, anorexia, bulimia, or binge-eating disorder. Click this link to volunteer.