Journal Article

Eating Disorders and Disordered Weight and Shape Control Behaviors in Sexual Minority Populations

Brown, Tiffany A., Blashill, Aaron J., Argenal, Russell L., Calzo, Jerel P.

2017

Overview

Purpose of Review This review summarized trends and key findings from empirical studies conducted between 2011 and 2017 regarding eating disorders and disordered weight and shape control behaviors among lesbian, gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority (i.e., non-heterosexual) populations. Recent Findings Recent research has examined disparities through sociocultural and minority stress approaches. Sexual minorities continue to demonstrate higher rates of disordered eating; disparities are more pronounced among males. Emerging data indicates elevated risk for disordered eating pathology among sexual minorities who are transgender or ethnic minorities. Dissonance-based eating disorder prevention programs may hold promise for sexual minority males. Summary Continued research must examine the intersections of sexual orientation, gender, and ethnic identities, given emergent data that eating disorder risk may be most prominent among specific subgroups. More research is needed within sexual minorities across the lifespan. There is still a lack of eating disorder treatment and prevention studies for sexual minorities.

• Publisher: Springer US,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Body Weight / Eating disorders / Eating Disorders (S Wonderlich and JM Lavender / Empirical Research / Feeding and Eating Disorders - epidemiology / Feeding and Eating Disorders - psychology / Female / Health Status Disparities / Humans / Male / Medicine / Medicine & Public Health / Minority & ethnic groups / Prevalence / Psychiatry / Risk Factors / Section Editors / Sex Factors / Sexual and Gender Minorities - psychology / Topical Collection on Eating Disorders