Eating Disorder Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2) digital media kit 

EMBARGOED: 12:01AM AEST, TUESDAY, MAY 20, 2025

​​​​Lisa Curry AO to lead national call for 4,000+ adult volunteers
for world’s largest genetics study on eating disorders

Decoding the genetics of eating disorders to identify risk & transform treatment

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Triple Olympian Lisa Curry AO is fronting a national appeal today for 4,000+ adults with lived experience of an eating disorder to join the world’s largest genetics investigation into the risk factors driving these complex illnesses.1

The Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative 2 (EDGI2) aims to pinpoint the hundreds of genes influencing
a person’s risk of developing anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), to improve treatment, and save lives. 

Ms Curry’s appeal for EDGI2 volunteers, in partnership with researchers, doctors and patients Australia-wide today, coincides with an article just published in MJA Insight+, revealing how the complex interplay of genetic, environmental and psychological factors in eating disorders,2 has hindered effective treatment breakthroughs.3

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The Aussie sporting legend, mother-of-three, and champion for mental and physical wellness, is supporting EDGI2 due to the heartbreaking loss of her daughter Jaimi, 33, to long-term health challenges, including anorexia nervosa.

“Too little is known about eating disorders, which affect over a million Australians.4

“Eating disorders remain among the most stigmatised mental health conditions. This stigma often prevents people from seeking help, making things worse,”5 said Ms Curry.

“Individuals and families affected by eating disorders deserve answers, earlier intervention, and personalised treatments that work.

“EDGI2 unites global experts to unravel the complex genetic and environmental puzzle behind eating disorders,” Ms Curry said.

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“I urge every Australian aged 18+ with experience, past or present, of one of four eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge-eating disorder or ARFID – to volunteer for this vital research.

“Head to edgi2.org.au or email edgi2@qimrb.edu.au to volunteer or learn more.

Recruitment closes December 31, 2025,” said Ms Curry.

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According to Head of the Genetic Epidemiology Laboratory, QIMR Berghofer, and Lead Australian EDGI2 Investigator, Professor Nick Martin, Brisbane, this new study builds on the ground-breaking progress of the original EDGI investigation, and the collaborative Anorexia Nervosa Genetics Initiative (ANGI), which identified the first eight genes linked to anorexia nervosa, highlighting both psychiatric and metabolic causes of the illness.6

“This discovery was completely unexpected, and requires urgent replication and further study to fully understand the pathways leading to anorexia nervosa.

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“That’s why a larger sample size is crucial, which is the aim of EDGI2,” said Prof Martin.

“While rigorous research shows genes account for more than half the risk of eating disorders,7 we still lack understanding and accurate tools to predict their progression, or response to treatment.”

The world-leading geneticist explains EDGI2’s strength will lie in its unprecedented scale and diverse, multi-country sample.

“Large-scale studies like EDGI and ANGI have demonstrated the genetic basis of eating disorders, and helped identify variations that can calculate an individual’s genetic risk.8

“A larger, more diverse sample will enhance our understanding of genetic risks, vulnerabilities, and protective factors, leading to earlier, more personalised treatments, and better predictions of disease progression and future risk,”8 Prof Martin said.

“With the Aussie spirit of volunteering, I’m confident we’ll reach our goal of 4,000+ EDGI2 participants.”

Clinical Psychologist, Director, InsideOut Institute, and EDGI2 Australia Chief-Investigator, Prof Sarah Maguire OAM, Sydney, explains eating disorders can affect people of any age, weight, size, shape, cultural background, or identity, and significantly compromise quality of life.

“They impact the individual, and their family in just about every way possible – professionally, personally, emotionally and psychologically.9

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“Eating disorders can also have serious medical consequences.10, 11 They have a strong link to depression, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, social isolation, and sometimes, suicide,”1, 12 said Prof Maguire.

“Their medical complications may include cognitive impairment, heart issues, growth retardation, and osteoporosis.10, 11

“The eating disorders mortality rate is significantly higher than other psychiatric conditions, mainly due to medical complications, and the rate of suicide,”13 Prof Maguire said.

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“Importantly, eating disorders are treatable.14 Research advances like EDGI2, which enhance understanding of genetic and environmental factors, along with early detection and personalised treatment, are key to recovery and improved patient management.”15, 16

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Executive Director, Eating Disorders Families Australia (EDFA), and lived-experience carer, Jane Rowan, Brisbane, emphasises “eating disorders are not a choice – they are serious mental illnesses.17

“However, with early intervention and a comprehensive approach that addresses the physical, psychological, and social aspects of an eating disorder, recovery is possible for everyone, regardless of severity or stage of illness,”14,18 said Ms Rowan.

Ms Rowan is a strong advocate for EDGI2.

"EDGI2 represents hope – not just for better treatments, but for a deeper understanding of eating disorders.

“Ultimately, EDGI2 will give families the answers we’ve been seeking for so long, and will help them to feel seen and supported,” Ms Rowan said.

Breathwork and meditation facilitator, empowerment coach, and cold immersion specialist, Elise, 39, Sydney, struggled with anorexia nervosa for 23 years. She has a family history of mental illness, suggesting a genetic predisposition to anorexia nervosa. 

At 12 years of age, a family member commented on Elise’s ‘pot belly’.

“It may have seemed harmless to them, but it was quietly devastating for me. It was a seed of self-consciousness I carried around for years,” said Elise.

After spiralling into restrictive eating and compulsive exercise, Elise was diagnosed with anorexia nervosa two years later – an illness that consumed every aspect of her teens.

"I went for long runs, spent hours at the gym, did sit-ups in my room – any form of exercise I could possibly do, I did.

“I was trying to ‘create control’ over the anxiety and chaos I felt, with an eating disorder.”

By the age of 20, Elise had made significant progress in her recovery. However, she experienced a relapse in her early twenties after a heartbreak, and another in her thirties. It was only then that she began to accept her anorexia nervosa. Now four years into recovery, Elise is deeply grateful to ‘have found healing’.

“EDGI2 is so important to me, because the idea that we could identify someone who has a genetic predisposition to an eating disorder, and prevent them from enduring what I did, makes me very hopeful,” said Elise.

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EDGI2 participation involves:

1. Providing informed consent and completing a short, 15–20 minute, online survey.        

2. Following core survey completion, eligible participants will be asked to donate a saliva sample.

3. Researchers sending a saliva collection kit together with a pre-paid return envelope to selected participants.

4. EDGI2 researchers extracting DNA from saliva samples to identify specific genes associated with eating disorders.

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW​

LISA CURRY AO​

NB. Lisa Curry AO has provided an extensive, pre-recorded VNR interview + supporting overlay & audio grabs, which are available for download from our digital media kit: edgi2mediakit.org​​​​