SUNNYVALE, Calif., Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 23andMe Holding Co., (Nasdaq: ME), a leading human genetics and preventive health company, today released a new report on the genetics of emotional eating for 23andMe+ Premium members, informing them if they are at a higher likelihood of frequent emotional eating.

Emotional eating occurs when an individual frequently eats to cope with difficult feelings¹. It often involves eating high-calorie, unhealthy foods, despite not feeling physically hungry, and can result in overeating. Emotional hunger is not satiated by food in the same way that physical hunger is, so while emotional eating may feel good in the moment, it can cause physical discomfort and feelings of guilt or shame. According to a study by the American Psychological Association, 27% of U.S. adults say they eat to manage stress. In addition, research has found that mental health conditions, especially depression and anxiety, are major causes of emotional eating.

23andMe’s Emotional Eating PRS report* is based on a statistical model known as a polygenic risk score (PRS), developed by 23andMe through its proprietary research database. The report takes into account an individual’s genetic results at many genetic markers, along with their genetic ancestry and birth sex to estimate the likelihood of frequent emotional eating. According to published data, it's estimated that genetics explains 9-60% of predisposition to emotional eating².

“Many people experience emotional eating from time to time, but when emotional eating becomes extreme it can be a problem, causing weight gain and potentially contributing to health problems like high cholesterol and diabetes,” said Noura Abul-Husn, MD, PhD, Vice President of Genomic Health at 23andMe. “Knowing a person’s genetic likelihood for experiencing emotional eating can help them identify new strategies early on, like removing unhealthy foods from their pantries or finding enjoyable alternatives like going on a walk. We hope this report can help provide an added resource for those who may experience emotional eating.”

The Emotional Eating PRS report was developed by 23andMe scientists and clinical experts using 23andMe’s database of genetic and health information contributed by consented research participants. A published white paper provides full details on the science and methodology behind 23andMe’s PRS technology.

While genetic factors may play a role, they do not account for every possible factor that could impact a person’s likelihood of experiencing emotional eating. To learn more about the new Emotional Eating PRS report and how to become a 23andMe+ Premium member, visit https://www.23andme.com/membership/.

¹ https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/weight-loss/art-20047342
² https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1038/oby.2009.389, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15755823/, https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18689360/

About 23andMe

23andMe is a genetics-led consumer healthcare and therapeutics company empowering a healthier future. For more information, please visit investors.23andme.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included or incorporated in this press release are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "intends," "may," "could," "should," "potential," "likely," "projects," “predicts,” "continue," "will," “schedule,” and "would" or, in each case, their negative or other variations or comparable terminology, are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. These forward-looking statements are predictions based on 23andMe’s current expectations and projections about future events and various assumptions. 23andMe cannot guarantee that it will actually achieve the plans, intentions, or expectations disclosed in its forward-looking statements and you should not place undue reliance on 23andMe’s forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties (many of which are beyond the control of 23andMe), or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained herein are also subject generally to other risks and uncertainties that are described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including under Item 1A, “Risk Factors” in the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and as revised and updated by our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K. The statements made herein are made as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by law, 23andMe undertakes no obligation to update them, whether as a result of new information, developments, or otherwise.

Contact Information
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

* The 23andMe Emotional Eating PRS report is based on a genetic model that includes data and insights from 23andMe consented research participants and incorporates more than 2,000 genetic variants to provide information on the likelihood of developing emotional eating. The report does not describe a person’s overall likelihood, does not account for lifestyle or family history and has not been reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration. The Emotional Eating PRS report is not intended to tell you anything about your current state of health, or to be used to make medical decisions or determine any treatment.