Overweight and obesity in sexual and gender minority adolescents: A systematic review

Abstract

Population data indicate that sexual and gender minority adolescents may be at increased risk for excess weight gain compared with cisgender, heterosexual youth.However, no studies, to our knowledge, have systematically reviewed the literature on weight disparities in this population nor explored risk for overweight and obesity by sexual and gender minority subgroup across studies. The current systematic review, therefore, identified 21 studies that assessed the relationship between sexual and gender minority status and weight among adolescents. Results indicated an overall greater prevalence of overweight and obesity among sexual and gender minority adolescents compared with cisgender, heterosexual youth. However, cisgender sexual minority males demonstrated lower or no added risk for overweight and obesity, whereas cisgender sexual minority females demonstrated greater risk for overweight and obesity. Findings were mixed among gender minority adolescents. This study highlights weight disparities in sexual and gender minority youth, although important subgroup differences exist. Additional research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms that may contribute to differential weight trajectories in this population and to develop tailored approaches for prevention and treatment.

A Descriptive Study of Transgender Active Duty Service Members in the U.S. Military

“…72 However, these differences are consistent with prior research demonstrating that sexual and gender minority natal males may be at greater risk for body dissatisfaction and eating pathology compared with sexual and gender minority natal females. 31,[73][74][75][76] The pursuit of a conventionally feminine shape may contribute to the increased eating-and weight-related pathology observed among transfemales in the current study. In contrast, body ideals for transmales may be more lenient or encouraging of a larger body size.…”

Treatment of Pediatric Overweight and Obesity: Position of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Based on an Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews

“…112,113 Youth who identify as sexual or gender minorities, including youth who identify as transgender or whose gender identity or expression does not align with that assigned at birth, are at increased risk for overweight, obesity, and eating disorders, and gender diverse youth may experience weightbased victimization. [114][115][116][117][118] There can be cardiometabolic-related side effects to gender-affirming therapy, 119 and clear, evidence-based guidelines for interpretation of weight and other growth parameters for youth who are transgender are needed.…”

Weight-Based Disparities in Youth Mental Health: Scope, Social Underpinnings, and Policy Implications

“…For example, from an early age, youth with higher weight are more likely than their peers with “normal” weight to experience both generalized (Morales et al, 2019; Waasdorp et al, 2018) and weight-based victimization or discrimination (Bucchianeri et al, 2016; Juvonen et al, 2017; Koyanagi et al, 2020; Schvey et al, 2019). Populations with elevated rates of overweight and obesity—including sexual and/or gender minorities (SGM; Grammer et al, 2019), youth from marginalized racial/ethnic groups (Fryar et al, 2020), and those from lower socioeconomic status (SES; Williams et al, 2018)—can in turn be at greater risk of experiencing weight stigma. For example, SGM youth, over half of whom report being teased about their weight by peers and family (Puhl et al, 2019), disproportionately contend with weight stigma compared to their heterosexual and cisgender peers (Bucchianeri et al, 2016).…”