A Systematic Review of the Literature on Weight in Sexual Minority Women

Eliason, Michèle J.; Ingraham, Natalie; Fogel, Sarah C.; McElroy, Jane A.; Lorvick, Jennifer; Mauery, D. Richard; Haynes, Suzanne

doi:10.1016/j.whi.2014.12.001

Cited by 90 publications

(60 citation statements)

References 85 publications

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“…Interestingly, more lesbian adults than heterosexual women have been found to be overweight or obese. 29,34 Perhaps some younger lesbians become overweight with the passage of time, catching up to BI and MH women over time.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities by Sexual Orientation in Frequent Engagement in Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors: A 12-Year Follow-Up

Rosario

Wypij

et al. 2016

Am J Public Health

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Objectives We examined sexual-orientation disparities in frequent engagement in cancer-related risk indicators of tobacco, alcohol, diet and physical activity, ultraviolet radiation, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Methods We used longitudinal data from the national Growing Up Today Study (1999–2010). Of the analytic sample (N|=|9958), 1.8% were lesbian or gay (LG), 1.6% bisexual (BI), 12.1% mostly heterosexual (MH), and 84.5% completely heterosexual (CH). Results More sexual minorities (LGs, BIs, and MHs) than CHs frequently engaged in multiple cancer-related risk behaviors (33%, 29%, 28%, and 19%, respectively). Sexual-minority young women, especially BI and MH, reported more frequent engagement over time in substance use and diet and physical activity risk than CH women. More young gay than CH men frequently engaged over time in vomiting for weight control (odds ratio [OR]|=|3.2; 95% confidence interval [CI]|=|1.1, 9.4), being physically inactive (OR|=|1.7; 95% CI|=|1.2, 2.4), and using tanning booths (OR|=|4.7; 95% CI|=|3.0, 7.4), and had a higher prevalence of ever having an STI (OR|=|3.5; 95% CI|=|2.0, 6.4). Individual analyses were generally comparable to the group-level analyses. Conclusions Young sexual minorities are at risk for cancer through frequent exposure to cancer-related risk behaviors over time. Long-term, longitudinal studies and surveillance data are essential and warranted to track frequent engagement in the risk behaviors and cancer-related morbidity and mortality.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities by Sexual Orientation in Frequent Engagement in Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors: A 12-Year Follow-Up

Rosario

Wypij

et al. 2016

Am J Public Health

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“…The lower rate of uterine cancer in lesbian women is surprising due to the lower parity and higher BMI when compared with heterosexual women,4, 23 which are both risk factors for uterine cancer 44. These risks may be offset by the higher rates of smoking among lesbian women,3 which is a protective factor 45.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The health risks and health behaviours of LB women are thought to negatively impact their gynaecological health. These include increased tobacco and alcohol use,2, 3 higher body mass index (BMI),4, 5, 6 and reduced uptake of cervical cytology screening 7, 8, 9. Lesbians are also said to have fewer reproductive behaviours that are associated with protection from various reproductive system cancers than heterosexual women, including use of oral contraceptives, childbirth and breastfeeding 10, 11.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Lesbian and bisexual women's gynaecological conditions: a systematic review and exploratory meta‐analysis

Robinson

Galloway

Bewley

et al. 2016

BJOG

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BackgroundLittle is known about the gynaecological health of lesbian and bisexual (LB) women.ObjectivesTo examine differences in incidence and/or prevalence of gynaecological conditions in LB compared with heterosexual women.Search strategyThe systematic review protocol was prospectively registered (PROSPERO‐CRD42015027091) and searches conducted in seven databases.Selection criteriaComparative studies published 2000–2015, reporting any benign (non‐infectious) and/or malignant gynaecological conditions with no language or setting restrictions.Data collection and analysisInclusions, data extraction and quality assessment were conducted in duplicate. Meta‐analyses of condition prevalence rates were conducted where ≥3 studies reported results.Main resultsFrom 567 records, 47 full papers were examined and 11 studies of mixed designs included. No studies directly addressing the question were found. Two chronic pelvic pain studies reported higher rates in bisexual compared with heterosexual women (38.5 versus 28.2% and 18.6 versus 6.4%). Meta‐analyses showed no statistically significant differences in polycystic ovarian syndrome, endometriosis and fibroids. There was a higher rate of cervical cancer in bisexual than heterosexual women [odds ratio (OR) = 1.94; 95% CI 1.46–2.59] but no difference overall (OR = 0.76; 95% CI 0.15–3.92). There was a lower rate of uterine cancer in lesbian than heterosexual women (OR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.11–0.73) and overall (OR = 0.36; 95% CI 0.13–0.97), but no difference in bisexual women (OR = 0.43; 95% CI 0.06–3.07).ConclusionsMore bisexual women may experience chronic pelvic pain and cervical cancer than heterosexual women. There is no information on potential confounders. Better evidence is required, preferably monitoring sexual orientation in research using the existing validated measure and fully reporting results.Tweetable abstractLesbians have less uterine cancer than heterosexual women; bisexuals have more pelvic pain and cervical cancer.

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“…Meads and Moore, for example, found that the findings were mixed in terms of breast cancer prevalence and risks between SMW compared to nonsexual minority women (Meads & Moore, 2013). In a review of the literature on differences in weight, Eliason and colleagues (2015) concluded that SMW have greater body mass index (BMI) compared to heterosexual women. Higher rates of obesity among SMW compared to heterosexual women and sexual minority men may place SMW at greater risk for additional chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, and poorer cardiovascular health.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Physical Health Conditions Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies

Simoni

Smith

Oost

et al. 2016

Journal of Homosexuality

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We conducted a systematic review to assess evidence for disparities for lesbian and bisexual women (i.e., sexual minority women [SMW]) in comparison with heterosexual women across a range of nine physical health conditions. Among the k = 11 studies meeting eligibility criteria, almost every comparison (i.e., heterosexual vs. (a) lesbian, (b) bisexual, or (c) both lesbian and bisexual women) was in a direction indicating SMW disparities. Despite limited power due to small samples of SMW, we found evidence of disparities as indicated by a statistically significant adjusted odds ratios for asthma (5 of 7 comparisons), obesity (8 of 12), arthritis (2 of 3), global ratings of physical health (4 of 7), and cardiovascular disease (1 of 1). Evidence was lacking for cancer (1 of 4), diabetes and hypertension (both 1 of 5), and high cholesterol (0 of 3). Future work should confirm findings in more diverse, larger samples and should examine potential explanatory factors.

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A Systematic Review of the Literature on Weight in Sexual Minority Women

Cited by 90 publications

References 85 publications

Disparities by Sexual Orientation in Frequent Engagement in Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors: A 12-Year Follow-Up

Disparities by Sexual Orientation in Frequent Engagement in Cancer-Related Risk Behaviors: A 12-Year Follow-Up

Lesbian and bisexual women's gynaecological conditions: a systematic review and exploratory meta‐analysis

Disparities in Physical Health Conditions Among Lesbian and Bisexual Women: A Systematic Review of Population-Based Studies

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