Childhood abuse and eating disorders in gay and bisexual men

Abstract

Objective-This study examines the association between eating disorders and a history of childhood abuse in gay and bisexual men, and how substance abuse and depression might impact this relationship.Method-193 white, black, Latino gay, and bisexual men were sampled from community venues. DSM-IV diagnoses of anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating disorder were assessed using the World Health Organization's Composite International Diagnostic Interview.Results-Men with a history of childhood sexual abuse are significantly more likely to have subclinical bulimia or any current full-syndrome or subclinical eating disorder compared with men who do not have a history of childhood sexual abuse. A history of depression and/or substance use disorders did not mediate this relationship. Conclusion-Researchersshould study other potential explanations of the relationship between a history of childhood abuse and eating disorders in gay and bisexual men. Clinicians working with gay and bisexual men who have a history of childhood abuse should assess for disordered eating as a potential mechanism to cope with the emotional sequelae associated with abuse.

Addressing Gender and Cultural Diversity in Body Image: Objectification Theory as a Framework for Integrating Theories and Grounding Research

“…As such, like the dual pathway and tripartite influence models, objectification theory accounts for family, peer, media, and social pressure to be thin (e.g., Conner- Greene et al 1994;Field et al 1999;Groesz et al 2002;Stice 2002), but also is consistent with evidence linking body image and eating pathology to a wider range of experiences such as sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and subtle and covert sexual objectification (e.g., Feldman and Meyer 2007;Jacobi et al 2004;Larkin et al 1996;Murnen and Smolak 2000;Piran 1998;Weiner and Thompson 1997). Finally, objectification theory addresses explicitly the co-occurrence of eating disorder and depressive symptomatology, which is shown to be related to greater symptom severity Brooks-Gunn 1996, 2001;Graber et al 2003) and shape eating disorder treatment seeking for some women (Cachelin et al 2001).…”

“…Marginalization and stress associated with adapting to conflicting cultures may shape internalization of dominant cultural standards of attractiveness and be linked with body image and eating problems for racial or ethnic minority women as well as Deaf women (e.g., Moradi and Rottenstein 2007;Perez et al 2002). Childhood harassment for gender non-conformity, childhood sexual abuse, anti-gay attacks and expectations of anti-gay stigma, and internalized homophobia may reflect socialization experiences which, in addition to sexual objectification experiences, are linked with body image and eating problems for sexual minority men (Feldman and Meyer 2007;Wiseman and Moradi 2010). Masculine and muscular body ideals may be relevant to men's experiences of objectification and body image (e.g., Mahalik 2004, 2005;Thompson and Cafri 2007).…”

Office-Based Care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Questioning Youth

“…62 Male sexual minority youth demonstrated more binge eating and purging than did male heterosexual youth. 63,64 The IOM report acknowledged these findings but noted that they were from small studies and that additional research is necessary. 1 There also may be an association with eating disorders in transgender MTF individuals, but more research is necessary.…”

Access to special care dentistry, part 6. Special care dentistry services for young people

“…Similar associations with eating disor ders have also been reported in men who have suffered childhood sexual abuse (CSA). 74 Furthermore, depression, self harm, suicidal thoughts, early onset of bipolar disorders and increased alcohol and drug abuse is more common in this group. 75,76 Reliable evidence suggests that up to 13% of females and between 5-10% of males have been exposed to CSA involving penetration.…”