Sexual and gender minority individuals report higher rates of abuse and more severe eating disorder symptoms than cisgender heterosexual individuals at admission to eating disorder treatment

LGBTQ+ outpatients present to eating disorder treatment earlier and with more severe depressive symptoms than cisgender heterosexual peers

Community evidence indicates high eating disorder (ED) and comorbid symptom severity among LGBTQ+ compared to cisgender heterosexual (CH) individuals. Little is known about such disparities in ED treatment samples, especially in outpatient treatment. We aimed to descriptively characterize and investigate baseline group differences in symptom severity between LGBTQ+ and CH ED outpatients at treatment intake. Data from 60 (22.3%) LGBTQ+ and 209 (77.7%) CH ED outpatients were used to examine: (1) demographic and diagnostic differences; (2) differences in ED, depressive, and emotion dysregulation symptoms. Objectives were tested using Fisher-Freeman-Halton exact and independent samples t-tests, and analyses of covariance adjusted for age and diagnosis, respectively. Most LGBTQ+ outpatients were bisexual (55.2%), and 6.5% identified as transgender and non-binary. LGBTQ+ outpatients presented to treatment at younger ages (Mean Difference [MD] = -3.39, p = .016) and reported more severe depressive symptoms (MD = 5.73, p = .004) than CH patients, but endorsed similar ED symptom and emotion dysregulation severity. Groups did not differ in other demographic or diagnostic characteristics. LGBTQ+ individuals may develop more severe depression and similarly severe EDs at earlier ages but seek outpatient care sooner than CH peers. Managing depressive symptoms may be particularly important for LGBTQ+ ED patients.

New understandings meet old treatments: putting a contemporary face on established protocols

In the twenty years since the publication of the most widely used treatment manuals describing evidence-based therapies for eating disorders, there have been some substantial advances in the field. New methods of delivering treatments have been trialled and our perception of mental health has advanced; significant cultural changes have led to shifts in our societal landscape; and new technologies have allowed for more in-depth research to be conducted. As a result, our understanding of eating disorders and their treatment has broadened considerably. However, these new insights have not necessarily been translated into improved clinical practice. This paper highlights the changes we consider to have had the greatest impact on our work as experienced clinical psychologists in the field and suggests a list of new learnings that might be incorporated into clinical practice and research design.

Eating Disorder Clinical Presentation and Treatment Outcomes by Gender Identity Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults

PURPOSE

Current eating disorder treatment approaches for youth were developed for use with cisgender girls, which limits the understanding of effectiveness for cisgender boys and transgender and gender expansive (TGE) youth. Here, we compare treatment outcomes for cisgender boys and TGE youth with cisgender girls receiving family-based treatment for an eating disorder.

METHODS

Patients were aged 6-24 and either active in treatment or discharged from September 1, 2020, to November 1, 2022 (N = 1,235). Patient exposure to treatment varied given individualized length of treatment. Outcomes include eating disorder symptoms, depression, anxiety, suicidality, caregiver burden, and parental confidence in supervising treatment. Treatment outcomes for cisgender boys and TGE youth were compared with cisgender girls.

RESULTS

Patients included n = 975 cisgender girls, n = 152 cisgender boys, and n = 108 TGE youth. Anorexia nervosa was the most common diagnosis. Cisgender boys reported significantly lower eating disorder (b = -2.7 [-4.1, -1.3]), anxiety (b = -1.6 [-2.2, -0.9]), and depression (b = -1.7 [-2.4, -0.9]) symptoms at admission compared with cisgender girls. TGE patients had significantly higher anxiety (b = 1.08 [0.28, 1.91]) and depression (b = 1.72 [0.78, 2.65]) symptoms compared with cisgender girls. Cisgender boys started with significantly lower suicidal ideation (b = -1.28 [-2.19, -0.43]) and TGE patients with significantly higher suicidal ideation (b = 1.63 [0.76, 2.51]) than cisgender girls. All symptoms improved during treatment and improved at similar rates over time in treatment regardless of gender identity.

DISCUSSION

Early evidence from this study supports the use of family-based treatment for cisgender boys and TGE youth with eating disorders. Further research is needed on the long-term outcomes of this approach for youth of all genders.

The treatment of dissociative identity disorder in an eating disorder residential treatment setting

OBJECTIVE

Child maltreatment, dissociation and dissociative disorders have been noted in relationship to eating disorders (EDs) for decades, and their co-occurrence generally is associated with greater morbidity, self-harm and mortality. The concomitant presentation of dissociative identity disorder (DID) with an ED (ED + DID) is especially challenging, and there is limited information on approaches to and the effects of integrated treatment for this serious comorbidity, especially in higher levels of care. There are also limited treatment resources for such patients, since they are often turned away from specialty units due to lack of expertise with or bias toward one or the other disorder.

METHOD

We report our experience with a case series of 18 patients with DSM-5 defined ED + DID (mean age (SD) = 32.6 (11.8) years) admitted to residential treatment (RT) and assessed using validated measures for symptoms of ED, major depression (MD), PTSD, state-trait anxiety, quality of life (QOL), age of ED onset, and family involvement during treatment. All patients received integrated, multimodal, trauma-focused approaches including those based on DID practice guidelines, principles of cognitive processing therapy (CPT), and other evidence-based approaches. Fifteen of 18 patients also completed discharge reassessments, which were compared to admission values using paired t-tests.

RESULTS

Following integrated, trauma-focused RT, patients with ED + DID demonstrated statistically significant improvements in all measures, with medium (anxiety) to high (ED, PTSD, MD, QOL) effect sizes.

DISCUSSION

These results provide positive proof of concept that patients with ED + DID can be effectively treated in a specialty, trauma-focused ED program at higher levels of care.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE

EDs and dissociative identity disorder (DID) are related conditions, but little is known about treating patients with both conditions. We describe the clinical features and integrated treatment of 18 such patients, 15 of whom completed discharge assessments. Significant clinical improvements were found in multiple domains (ED, PTSD, mood, anxiety, quality of life), which demonstrate positive proof of concept that ED + DID can be effectively treated in a specialty, trauma-focused ED program.

Longitudinal associations between community violence exposure, posttraumatic stress symptoms, and eating disorder symptoms

BACKGROUND

Eating disorder (ED) symptoms have been associated with different types of traumatic events, such as exposure to sexual and physical violence, and emotional abuse. However, the relation between ED symptoms and community violence exposure (CVE) is underexplored, despite the latter's adverse effects on many aspects of adolescent functioning. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the relation between CVE and ED symptoms in adolescents, while also investigating the potential mediating and moderating roles of posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms, gender, and ethnicity.

METHODS

Data were collected longitudinally over two consecutive years in the city of New Haven, CT, in the United States. Participants were 2612 adolescent students from the public school system (1397 girls and 1215 boys) with an average age of 12.8 years (SD = 1.29). The students were comprised of several different ethnic groups, including Caucasians, African Americans and Hispanic Americans. Associations between CVE (no exposure, witnessing, and victimization) and PTS symptoms at year one, and ED symptoms (thoughts and compensatory behaviors) at year two, were assessed with self-rating instruments. Moderation and mediation analyses were conducted using a variant of linear regression (Hayes PROCESS macro).

RESULTS

ED symptoms at year two were significantly associated with both witnessing and being a victim of community violence at year one, with most or all of the relations being explained by PTS symptoms. Overall, neither gender nor ethnicity had a meaningful moderating effect in the observed relations.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings support the notion that assessing and addressing PTS symptoms might be beneficial when treating individuals with ED symptoms who have experienced community violence, irrespective of gender or ethnicity.

Emerging Evidence: A Systematic Literature Review of Disordered Eating Among Transgender and Nonbinary Youth

PURPOSE

This systematic literature review explores the evidence base related to the diagnosis and clinical management of eating disorders among transgender and gender nonbinary (TGNB) youth. Through an exploration of the literature, this review highlights key considerations for providers working with this population, including the complex relationship between body image and gender, the assessment of subthreshold eating disorder symptoms, the impact of gender-affirming care on eating disorder treatment outcomes, and available evidence-based metrics, with attention to factors impacting treatment, including family support, psychiatric comorbidities, and community safety.

METHODS

We conducted a search of the databases PubMed and Ovid MEDLINE for articles pertaining to eating disorders and TGNB youth, with forward citation chaining conducted via Google Scholar to provide a review of recent publications. Twenty-six articles published from 2017 to 2022 met the criteria for full-text review.

RESULTS

The selected articles primarily explored data from the United States and varied widely in methodology, including a systematic literature review (n = 1), narrative literature reviews (n = 3), case series (n = 4), case studies (n = 2), cross-sectional population surveys (n = 7), cross-sectional patient surveys (n = 3), other cross-sectional studies (n = 3), retrospective chart reviews (n = 2), and a retrospective longitudinal cohort study (n = 1). Most commonly, researchers sampled patients within the setting of gender clinics. Researchers used a range of validated measures in clinical settings, with the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire most frequently reported. The literature highlights several considerations unique to transgender populations, including the complex relationship between gender dysphoria, body dissatisfaction, disordered eating behavior, and gender-affirming care.

DISCUSSION

In clinical settings with TGNB youth, providers may consider implementing validated screening measures to assess for eating disorders. Future research should emphasize a nuanced understanding of the heterogeneity among TGNB patient populations and the impact of gender identity on treatment of eating disorders.

Gender-Affirming Nutrition: An Overview of Eating Disorders in the Transgender Population

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Transgender individuals are vulnerable to many nutrition-related conditions, especially eating disorders due to gender dysphoria. This review aims to summarize the current literature on eating disorders in transgender individuals. The issues that should be considered in nutrition care for the transgender population are discussed regarding public health.

RECENT FINDINGS

Transgender individuals can exhibit disordered eating behaviors to overcome the stress they experience due to stigma, discrimination, social exclusion, and abuse. Recent studies showed that disordered eating and clinical eating disorders are more prevalent among transgender than cisgender people. It is very important for a multidisciplinary team working in the clinic to understand the epidemiology, etiology, diagnostic criteria, and treatment of eating disorders in the transgender population. However, multidisciplinary nutritional care is limited due to the lack of transgender-specific nutrition guidelines. It is safe to say that adhering to a generally healthy nutritional pattern and using standardized nutrition guidelines. We recommend that health professionals working with patients/clients with eating disorders receive continuing education in transgender health, be empowering and inclusive, address patients/clients with their gender identity nouns and pronouns, and develop nutritional treatment plans that are not gender-specific. Eating disorders are a significant public health problem in the transgender population. Therefore, clinical screening and early intervention are necessary to identify and treat eating disorders in transgender people. Eating disorders in the transgender population should be monitored routinely, and gender-affirming care should be provided as well as treatment of eating disorders.

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) in New Zealand and Australia: a scoping review

BACKGROUND

Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder (ARFID) is an eating disorder that involves restrictive or avoidant eating behaviour not related to weight or body image concerns. It was first included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders-fifth edition (DSM-5) in 2013. ARFID frequently begins in childhood and can have serious psychosocial impacts and detrimental health consequences when nutritional and energy needs are persistently unmet. This systematic scoping review focuses on Australasia, synthesizing the current literature landscape on ARFID, and offering recommendations for targeted, actionable research directions for both funders and researchers.

METHODS

Online databases and university thesis repositories were systematically searched for studies examining ARFID in the New Zealand or Australian population since 2013. Database search results were exported to Rayyan software, and two independent reviewers screened all identified sources, prior to extraction of key data.

RESULTS

Twenty-nine studies and one thesis from 138 screened sources were eligible for inclusion. Frequent study types were treatment interventions and cross-sectional studies, with populations including individuals with ARFID, ED service populations, parents/caregivers, health professionals, and non-clinical populations. ARFID presents in a range of settings and is associated with poorer quality of life and significant functional impairment. Assessment of ARFID was varied, and no specific treatment guidelines for ARFID have been written as yet.

CONCLUSION

This review calls for more accurate prevalence estimates of ARFID in children and larger-scale studies in all ages using validated measures. It emphasizes the need for education and training of healthcare professionals, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Established interventions like behaviour analytics should be considered, and more comprehensive research is needed on interventions for ARFID, including controlled trials and longitudinal studies. Urgent research is needed to improve outcomes for those affected by ARFID.

Eating disorders in transgender and gender diverse people: characteristics, assessment, and management

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This review summarizes recent research on eating disorders among gender minorities, transgender and gender diverse people. The focus is on research published in 2022 and the first half of 2023.

RECENT FINDINGS

Up to 1.2% of young people and 0.3-0.5% of adults identify as transgender, and 2.7-8.4% of young people and 0.3-4.5% of adults report some degree of gender diversity. About 20-50% of transgender and gender diverse people report engaging in disordered eating and >30% screen positive for eating disorder symptoms, and 2-12% have received an eating disorder diagnosis from a health professional. Many transgender and gender diverse people describe eating disorder symptoms as a way of coping with gender dysphoria. They also report high levels of mental and behavioral symptoms, particularly mood and anxiety disorders, suicidal thoughts and behaviors, trauma-related symptoms and disorders, alcohol and substance use, and autism. Gender minorities frequently experience discrimination, victimization, and violence, primarily sexual and physical violence. The minority stress model attributes mental health symptoms to these factors. Promising interventions based on the minority stress model have recently become available, but more research is needed on how to support transgender and gender diverse people with eating disorders. To manage eating disorders in this population, gender-affirming care should be combined with specialist eating disorder treatment.

SUMMARY

Gender minorities are at high risk for eating disorders. Future studies should assess what is the most appropriate treatment for transgender and gender diverse people with eating disorders.

A Longitudinal Study on Disordered Eating in Transgender and Nonbinary Adolescents

OBJECTIVE

We longitudinally explored frequency of disordered eating among transgender and nonbinary (TGNB) adolescents and explored trends by gender identity and gender-affirming care.

METHODS

Participants completed an abbreviated version of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months after establishing care in a gender clinic. We analyzed descriptive statistics and multivariate linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Of the 91 TGNB adolescent participants, 61% were transmasculine, 30% transfeminine, and 7% nonbinary/gender-fluid. Among TGNB adolescents, disordered eating thoughts/behaviors were frequently endorsed with 26% of participants engaging in any occurrence of binge eating, 27% limiting the amount of food they ate, and 30% excluding foods from their diet. Forty percent of participants reported any occurrence of at least 1 disordered eating behavior and 17% at least 3 behaviors. Abbreviated EDE-Q responses did not differ significantly by sex assigned at birth, gender identity, gender-affirming medications, or time spent receiving gender-affirming care. There was a significant effect of age (P value = .003) on abbreviated EDE-Q scores.

CONCLUSIONS

There were no significant changes in disordered eating after initiating gender-affirming medical care, possibly due to the limited study time frame of 12 months. Given the high prevalence of disordered eating behaviors, clinicians should consider screening all TGNB adolescents for disordered eating thoughts/behaviors throughout gender-affirming care. Future longitudinal research should recruit larger samples with a diverse range of gender identities and survey disordered eating thoughts/behaviors at least one year after starting gender-affirming medications.

Orthorexia nervosa symptomatology in the LGBTQ community: Gender and sexual orientation differences

This study investigated whether gender and sexual minority groups exhibit differences in orthorexia nervosa (ON) symptomatology compared to cisgender, straight individuals. A sample of 441 non-clinical participants (65 % White, mean age = 27) reported their gender (104 cisgender men, 229 cisgender women, 28 transgender men, 27 transgender women, 53 nonbinary) and sexual orientation (144 straight, 45 gay, 54 lesbian, 105 bisexual/pansexual, 68 queer), and completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory. The LGBTQ group exhibited greater ON symptomatology compared to the cisgender, straight group. ANOVAs demonstrated significant group differences according to gender and sexual orientation. Post-hoc tests revealed that transgender women exhibited greater ON symptomatology than cisgender men and cisgender women. However, nonbinary individuals exhibited lower ON symptomatology than cisgender women, transgender men, and transgender women. Additionally, lesbians exhibited greater ON symptomatology than straight individuals. Our findings suggest that individuals with an LGBTQ identity, particularly transgender women and lesbians, may experience greater ON symptomatology than cisgender, straight individuals. However, nonbinary individuals appear to experience lower ON symptomatology, which may relate to a lack of alignment with masculine or feminine ideals, such that these individuals may feel a lack of need to conform to a certain appearance ideal based on gender norms.

Exploring the effects of gender and sexual orientation on disordered eating: an EFA to CFA study of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire

Several problems limit our understanding of the ways that gender and sexual orientation influence disordered eating. These include the reliance on measures that have been developed and validated in samples of cisgender heterosexual women, and the lack of confirmed measurement invariance that allows us to meaningfully compare these experiences between groups. This study was an EFA to CFA exploration of the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire in a group of heterosexual, bisexual, gay, and lesbian men and women. In total 1638 participants were recruited via adverts in traditional and social media to complete an online survey. A 14-item, three-factor model of the EDE-Q was confirmed as best fitting the data and measurement invariance between groups was ascertained. Sexual orientation influenced disordered eating and muscularity-related thoughts and behaviours in men but not women. Heterosexual men reported more muscularity-related concerns and behaviours, whereas gay men showed more thinness-related concerns and behaviours. Bisexual participants showed a different pattern, highlighting the importance of treating this group individually and not collating all non-heterosexual participants together. Small but significant effects of sexual orientation and gender have an impact on the kinds of disordered eating thoughts and behaviours one might experience, and could influence prevention and treatment. Clinicians may be able to provide more effective and tailored interventions by taking into account gender and sexual orientation in sensitive ways.

Impact of COVID-19 stress on the psychological health of sexual & gender minority individuals: A systematic review

Introduction

The differential effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of the population around the globe is well documented. Social isolation, loss of job, financial crisis, and fear of infection due to the pandemic have widely affected people across countries, and the sexual and gender minority (SGM) group is no exception. However, the additional stressors like stigma, discrimination, rejection, non-acceptance, and violence associated with diverse sexual orientation complicated the situation for the SGM group in the context of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Method

The present study conducted a systematic review of research (n = 16) investigating the impact of Covid-19 stress on the psychological health of SGM individuals. The review had two objectives: (a) to explore the effect of the stress associated with the pandemic on the psychological health of the SGM individuals; and (b) to identify potential stressors associated with the Covid-19 pandemic affecting the mental health of SGM individuals. Studies were selected following a PRISMA protocol and several inclusion criteria.

Results

The review provided new insights into the mental health issues of the SGM individual in the Covid-19 context. The outcome of the review focused on five aspects: (a) depression and anxiety symptoms related to Covid-19 symptoms; (b) perceived social support and Covid-19 stress; (c) family support and psychological distress related to Covid-19; (d) Covid-19 stress and disordered eating, and (e) problem drinking and substance abuse associated with Covid-19 stress.

Discussion

The present review indicated a negative association between Covid-19 stress and psychological distress among sexual and gender minority individuals. The findings have important implications for psychologists and social workers working with this population and policymakers around the globe.

Why do queer men experience negative body image? A narrative review and testable stigma model

Queer men (i.e., men who are not heterosexual; sexual minority men) are disproportionately affected by negative body image - they experience greater body dissatisfaction are more likely to develop eating disorders than heterosexual men. While existing literature has examined individual-level predictors of negative body image for queer men, less is known about why queer men as a group are disproportionately affected by negative body image. By synthesising existing theoretical frameworks, research, policy, and media reporting, this narrative review moves towards an understanding of systemic-level negative body image for queer men. Through the lens of hegemonic masculinity, we explain how systemic experiences of stigma work to inform unattainable appearance standards for queer men, and how these standards then contribute to pervasive negative body image concerns among this community. Next, we describe how systemic stigma works to exacerbate negative health outcomes for queer men with body image concerns. Finally, we present a synthesized model of the processes outlined in this review, articulate testable predictions for future studies, and describe practical implications that could be widely employed to improve body image for queer men. Our review is the first to propose a comprehensive explanation of systemic negative body image for queer men.

Eating disorders in sexual minority adolescents and young adults: examining clinical characteristics and psychiatric co-morbidities in an inpatient medical setting

BACKGROUND

Sexual minority adolescents and young adults are at higher risk of eating disorders compared to heterosexual peers. However, little is known about the clinical and psychiatric presentation of this population requiring inpatient medical stabilization. Given the increased risk for eating disorder behaviors in sexual minority individuals amidst increased rates of medical hospitalizations secondary to eating disorders, it is important to understand presenting characteristics of this population. The objectives of this study were to (1) describe the clinical characteristics of sexual minority adolescents and young adults with eating disorders admitted for medical instability and (2) compare psychiatric co-morbidities and suicidality of sexual minority adolescents and young adults to heterosexual peers.

METHODS

A retrospective chart review was conducted of 601 patients admitted to a large inpatient eating disorders medical stabilization unit between 2012 and 2020. Data collected included demographics, medical data including vital signs, and psychiatric characteristics. Chi square or t-tests were used to examine potential differences in clinical characteristics and psychiatric co-morbidities between groups. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess associations between sexual orientation and psychiatric co-morbidities.

RESULTS

Over one fifth (21.1%, n = 103) of our inpatient sample identified as a sexual minority individual. The average age of participants was 15.6 years (2.7). Sexual minority adolescents and young adults had higher percent median body mass index compared to heterosexual peers and yet equally severe vital sign instability on admission. Sexual minority adolescents and young adults were almost 1.5 times more likely to have a psychiatric comorbidity with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Sexual minority adolescents and young adults were approximately two times more likely to have a history of self-injurious behaviors and/or suicidality.

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual minority adolescents and young adults with eating disorders have equally severe vital sign instability despite higher percent median body mass index on admission for medical stabilization. Sexual minority adolescents and young adults hospitalized for medical complications of eating disorders are far more likely to have an additional mental health disorder and a history of self-harm and/or suicidality, which may portend a less favorable long-term prognosis.

A lived experience response to the proposed diagnosis of terminal anorexia nervosa: learning from iatrogenic harm, ambivalence and enduring hope

The ethical approach to treatment non-response and treatment refusal in severe-enduring anorexia nervosa (SE-AN) is the source of significant ethical debate, particularly given the risk of death by suicide or medical complications. A recent article proposed criteria to define when anorexia nervosa (AN) can be diagnosed as 'terminal' in order to facilitate euthanasia or physician-assisted suicide (EAS), otherwise known as medical assistance in dying, for individuals who wish to be relieved of suffering and accept treatment as 'futile'. This author utilises their personal lived experience to reflect on the issues raised, including: treatment refusal, iatrogenic harm, suicidality and desire to end suffering, impact of diagnosis/prognosis, schemas, alexithymia, countertransference, ambivalence, and holding on to hope. Within debates as critical as the bioethics of involuntary treatment, end-of-life and EAS in eating disorders, it is crucial that the literature includes multiple cases and perspectives of individuals with SE-AN that represent a wide range of experiences and explores the complexity of enduring AN illness, complex beliefs, communication patterns and relational dynamics that occur in SE-AN.

Food for thought: Examining the relationship between low calorie density foods in Instagram feeds and disordered eating symptoms among undergraduate women

BACKGROUND

Ample studies have tested how viewing bodies on social media impacts eating disorder symptoms; however, the relationship between viewing food images on social media and disordered eating remains understudied. This study investigated whether viewing images of healthy, palatable food on Instagram impacted disordered eating attitudes across two samples of undergraduate women.

METHODS

This pre-registered online study was conducted at two sites. Participants identifying as female (study 1 n = 222; study 2 n = 214) were randomly assigned to view one of two Instagram feeds - either a feed featuring low calorie, aesthetically pleasing foods or a control condition featuring travel images. Participants completed state measures of disordered eating intentions, self-esteem, and body image before and after viewing the feeds.

RESULTS

A main effect of condition on disordered eating intentions was found at the Midwestern site, but not the Southeastern site.

CONCLUSIONS

Viewing healthy palatable food images on Instagram could increase risk for disordered eating behaviors among college females. If findings are replicated, individuals vulnerable to disordered eating may benefit from removing these types of feeds from their social media. Further research is needed to determine whether other forms of visual content on Instagram may be associated with disordered eating.

Traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma as mediators of change in disordered eating: a single-arm pilot study of the Body Trust® framework

To enhance access to evidence-based treatment it is increasingly important to evaluate scalable virtual programs that support the needs of those struggling with disordered eating. This study described a scientifically grounded, trauma-informed framework known as Body Trust,® and aimed to pilot test the preliminary effectiveness and mechanisms of change in a Body Trust® program to improve disordered eating. Using quality outcomes data, we examined 70 mostly white (87%) female-identifying (97%) individuals enrolled in a 6-module online program based in the Body Trust® framework (M_age = 45.5 ±10.9; M_BMI = 33.7 ±8.0). Putative mediators included traumatic stress, internalized weight stigma, and body shame. Outcomes were objective and subjective binge episodes, overvaluation of weight and shape, and eating concerns. Generalized estimating equations were applied to determine pre-to-post changes. We applied Montoya's MEMORE macro, the joint-significance test, and calculated 95% Monte Carlo confidence intervals to assess mediation. Significant pre-to-post improvements with medium to large effect sizes were detected for all outcomes and mediators (ps<.008). All hypothesized mechanisms supported mediation. Using the Body Trust® framework shows early promise for alleviating disordered eating symptoms through targeting traumatic stress, body shame, and internalized weight stigma. Given the program's use of mindfulness techniques, future research should test target mechanisms like interoception.

Comparing eating disorder treatment outcomes of transgender and nonbinary individuals with cisgender individuals

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare symptom severity of eating disorders (EDs), depression and anxiety at admission and discharge for transgender and nonbinary (TNB) individuals and cisgender adult individuals receiving treatment for EDs at higher levels of care (HLOC), adding to the limited research in this area.

METHOD

Participants were 25 TNB individuals and 376 cisgender individuals admitted to a HLOC ED treatment facility. Participants completed the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q), Patient Health Questionnaire-9, and Beck Anxiety Inventory at admission and discharge.

RESULTS

TNB individuals showed significant improvements on EDE-Q global scores between admission and discharge (Cohen's d = 1.27), and showed similar improvements on the EDE-Q over the course of treatment (Cohen's d = 0.06) when compared to cisgender individuals. TNB individuals had more severe depression at admission (Cohen's d = 0.61). Although depression improved over the course of treatment for both groups, TNB individuals showed less improvement (Cohen's d = 0.59). Suicidality was higher for TNB individuals on admission and discharge and did not improve significantly over the course of treatment (Cohen's d = 0.38).

DISCUSSION

This study provides preliminary evidence that TNB and cisgender individuals show similar improvement in ED symptoms during HLOC treatment. However, TNB individuals have more severe depression and less improvement in depression compared to cisgender individuals, without improvement in suicidality. TNB individuals may benefit from care targeting depression and suicidality during ED treatment.

PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

TNB individuals have increased risk of EDs. Little research addresses how TNB individuals respond to ED treatment, which was traditionally created for cisgender individuals. We present one of the first studies examining ED treatment outcomes for TNB adults. TNB individuals showed improved ED symptoms with treatment, but less improvement in depression and their suicidality remained elevated. This suggests the need for targeted treatment.

Management of eating disorders for people with higher weight: clinical practice guideline

INTRODUCTION

The prevalence of eating disorders is high in people with higher weight. However, despite this, eating disorders experienced by people with higher weight have been consistently under-recognised and under-treated, and there is little to guide clinicians in the management of eating disorders in this population.

AIM

The aim of this guideline is to synthesise the current best practice approaches to the management of eating disorders in people with higher weight and make evidence-based clinical practice recommendations.

METHODS

The National Eating Disorders Collaboration Steering Committee auspiced a Development Group for a Clinical Practice Guideline for the treatment of eating disorders for people with higher weight. The Development Group followed the 'Guidelines for Guidelines' process outlined by the National Health and Medical Research Council and aim to meet their Standards to be: 1. relevant and useful for decision making; 2. transparent; 3. overseen by a guideline development group; 4. identifying and managing conflicts of interest; 5. focused on health and related outcomes; 6. evidence informed; 7. making actionable recommendations; 8. up-to-date; and, 9. accessible. The development group included people with clinical and/or academic expertise and/or lived experience. The guideline has undergone extensive peer review and consultation over an 18-month period involving reviews by key stakeholders, including experts and organisations with clinical academic and/or lived experience.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Twenty-one clinical recommendations are made and graded according to the National Health and Medical Research Council evidence levels. Strong recommendations were supported for psychological treatment as a first-line treatment approach adults (with bulimia nervosa or binge-eating disorder), adolescents and children. Clinical considerations such as weight stigma, interprofessional collaborative practice and cultural considerations are also discussed.

CONCLUSIONS

This guideline will fill an important gap in the need to better understand and care for people experiencing eating disorders who also have higher weight. This guideline acknowledges deficits in knowledge and consequently the reliance on consensus and lower levels of evidence for many recommendations, and the need for research particularly evaluating weight-neutral and other more recent approaches in this field.

A critical examination of disparities in eating disorder symptoms by sexual orientation among US adults in the NESARC-III

OBJECTIVE

Sexual minoritized persons evidence higher prevalence of eating disorders than heterosexual persons, yet it is unclear which specific symptoms drive these disparities. Empirical evidence also documents the importance of considering subclinical eating disorder presentations, as well as potential differentiation in expression of eating disorder symptoms based on gender. The current study complements that of Kamody et al. (2020), who examined sexual orientation-based disparities in eating disorder diagnoses using a nationally representative sample of the US adult population.

METHOD

Using the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions-III (NESARC-III), we compared the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms across sexual minority status separately for men and women.

RESULTS

Sexual minoritized men were more likely than heterosexual men to report body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m² (odds ratio [OR] = 1.76), thus, being screened into questions about restrictive eating. Sexual minoritized women were more likely than heterosexual women to endorse ever engaging in a binge-eating episode (OR = 2.25) and engaging in weekly binge eating for at least 3 months (OR = 1.58), thus, being screened into follow-up questions about binge eating. Sexual minoritized men were more likely than heterosexual men to fear gaining weight even when at their lowest weight (OR = 4.35) and experience a loss of control when overeating (OR = 3.13).

DISCUSSION

Sexual orientation-based disparities in eating disorder symptom endorsement were nuanced when stratifying the entire sample by gender. Findings expand previous research on disparities in clinical/diagnosed eating disorders, highlighting the importance of assessing symptomology beyond diagnosis, as well as the intersectional influence of sexual orientation and gender, in both research and practice.

IRP commission: sexual minorities and mental health: global perspectives

Sexual orientation is a key determinant of the identity of human beings. It has also been seen as a social determinant of health. People whose sexual orientation is non-heterosexual or sexual minorities or sexually diverse are included in the broad umbrella term LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender) which is a commonly used acronym in activism, social policy, and subsequently cultural literature. For this reason, this Commission focuses primarily on sexual orientation i.e. lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) groups. We have used terms non-heterosexual, sexual minorities or sexual variation interchangeably. We have not considered asexual individuals as research in the field is too limited. We are cognisant of the fact that topics relating to mental health and sexual orientation discussed in this Commission will intersect with other issues of personal, cultural and social identity, and will thus be relevant to individuals including many transgender individuals. The inclusion of mental health issues relevant to gender-diverse individuals as well as gender identity is important and deserves its own separate detailed discussion. The exact number of sexually diverse individuals in a population is often difficult to estimate but is likely to be somewhere around 5% of the population. Rates of various psychiatry disorders and suicidal ideation and acts of suicide in LGB populations are higher than general population and these have been attributed to minority stress hypothesis. Elimination of inequality in law can lead to reduction in psychiatric morbidity in these groups. However, these are all diverse groups but even within each group there is diversity and each individual has a distinct and unique experiences, upbringing, responses to their own sexual orientation, and generating varying responses from families, peers and friends as well as communities (including healthcare professionals). The mental healthcare needs of sexual minority individuals vary and these variations must be taken into account in design, development and delivery of healthcare and policies. Improving access to services will help engagement and outcomes and also reduce stigma. The commission recommends that there is no role for so-called conversion therapies and other recommendations are made for clinicians, researchers and policymakers.

Sexual and gender minority individuals report higher rates of lifetime traumas and current PTSD than cisgender heterosexual individuals admitted to residential eating disorder treatment

OBJECTIVE

Trauma and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are associated with eating disorders (EDs), which occur across all sexual orientations and gender identities. Prior traumas and PTSD also are reported to occur significantly more frequently in individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, non-binary, or other (LGBTQ+), but little is known about rates of PTSD in LGBTQ+ individuals with EDs admitted to residential treatment (RT).

METHOD

Our sample included 542 adults with DSM-5 EDs admitted to RT at seven sites in the U.S. Rates of current presumptive PTSD (PTSD +) by LGBTQ + status were determined by responses on the Life Events Checklist (LEC-5) and the PTSD Symptom Checklist for DSM-5 (PCL-5).

RESULTS

Nearly 24% of admitting individuals self-reported as LGBTQ+, and these individuals had significantly higher LEC-5 total scores (5.6 v. 4.9), PCL-5 total scores (41.9 v. 34.0), and rates of PTSD+ (63% v. 45%) than non-LGBTQ+ individuals. The LGBTQ+ with PTSD+ group reported (1) significantly more unwanted sexual experiences, sexual assaults, physical assaults, and severe human suffering experiences, and (2) significantly greater ED, depressive and trait-anxiety symptoms than the non-LGBTQ+ group with PTSD+.

CONCLUSIONS

LGBTQ+ individuals had significantly higher rates of high impact lifetime traumas and presumptive PTSD+, as well as greater ED and comorbid symptom severity, than non-LGBTQ+ individuals. Development, implementation and assessment of integrated treatment protocols for LGBTQ+ individuals with an ED and PTSD+ is warranted to address the needs of this underserved and often overlooked population.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III: Evidence obtained from cohort or case-control analytic studies.

Disordered eating across COVID-19 in LGBTQ+ young adults

Emerging evidence suggests that the COVID-19 pandemic is negatively affecting mental health, especially for sexual and gender minority populations. Relatively little is known about the impact of the pandemic on disordered eating behaviors (DEB) for these populations. The aim of this study is to understand changes in DEB across COVID-19 within an LGBTQ+ sample, with a particular focus on differences across sexual and gender identities, and the impact of social support on these outcomes. In a sample of 830 LGBTQ+ adults with a past year history of DEB, most, but not all, participants reported that the frequency of and urge to engage in each DEB increased a little bit or a lot during COVID-19. Contrary to research showing more severe psychopathology and DEB among gender minorities (GM) compared to sexual minorities (SM), changes in DEB severity since COVID-19 were not significantly different between SM and GM participants. There were a few small and significant relationships between changes in average DEB severity and characteristics of interpersonal relationships, average quality of home relationships, and living with someone not affirming of one's identity. Results highlight that COVID-19 may have exacerbated DEB for SGM young adults, that these changes were not different across sexual versus gender minorities, and that these changes are weakly but significantly related to minority stressors.

Perceived weight gain and eating disorder symptoms among LGBTQ+ adults during the COVID-19 pandemic: a convergent mixed-method study

BACKGROUND

In this study, we further explore the role of COVID-19 pandemic-related stress, social support, and resilience on self-reported eating disorder symptoms (using the EDE-QS) and perceived weight gain among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and/or queer (LGBTQ+ adults) in the US context during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

Employing a convergent mixed method design, we surveyed 411 individuals, and conducted qualitative semi-structured follow-up interviews with 43 LGBTQ+ -identifying survey respondents. Using OLS regression and multinomial logistic regression, we modeled eating disorder symptoms and perceived weight gain among LGBTQ+ individuals (n = 120) and cisgender and heterosexual-identifying women (n = 230), to cisgender and heterosexual-identifying men (n = 61). We also explored complementary interview narratives among LGBTQ+ people by employing selective coding strategies.

RESULTS

Study results suggest that LGBTQ+ individuals are likely experiencing uniquely high levels of pandemic-related stress, and secondly, that pandemic-related stress is associated with elevated eating disorder symptoms and higher risk of perceived weight gain. Nearly 1 in 3 participants reported eating disorder symptoms of potentially clinical significance. Social support, but not resilient coping, was found to be protective against increased eating disorder symptoms. Qualitative analyses revealed that LGBTQ+ individuals situated physical exercise constraints, challenging eating patterns, and weight concerns within their pandemic experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians of diverse specialties should screen for eating disorder symptoms and actively engage patients in conversations about their COVID-19-related weight gain and eating behaviors, particularly with LGBTQ+ -identifying adults.

Women of diverse sexual identities admit to eating disorder treatment with differential symptom severity but achieve similar clinical outcomes

OBJECTIVE

Sexual minority (SM) women may be at increased risk for certain eating disorder (ED) symptoms and report distinct body image concerns compared to heterosexual women. However, it is unclear how such symptoms differ across sexual orientations in treatment-seeking women, or if there are differences in treatment outcomes. This study examined group differences in (1) ED symptomatology at admission in a disaggregated sample of SM and heterosexual women presenting for ED treatment and (2) treatment outcomes.

METHODS

Adult women who admitted to higher levels of ED treatment across 48 locations of one treatment center between 2015 and 2018 completed self-report measures of ED symptomatology and quality of life (QOL) at admission and discharge. Participants identified their sexualities as heterosexual (n = 2,502, 80.2%), lesbian/gay (n = 134, 4.3%), bisexual (n = 270, 8.7%), "other" (n = 136, 4.4%), and unsure (n = 78, 2.5%). Objectives 1 and 2 were tested using one-way and repeated measures analyses of variance, respectively.

RESULTS

Group differences at admission emerged between lesbian/gay and heterosexual, bisexual and heterosexual, and bisexual and "other"-identified women on preoccupation and restriction, fasting, self-induced vomiting, shape and weight concern, and QOL. Bisexual women, in particular, admitted with the highest severity and at younger ages compared to heterosexual women. Despite such differences, women across groups achieved similar treatment outcomes at discharge.

DISCUSSION

Study findings underscore the importance of subgroup analyses of ED symptoms in SM women and have both clinical and research implications related to ED symptomatology in this population.

Gender-Affirmative Eating Disorder Care: Clinical Considerations for Transgender and Gender Expansive Children and Youth

Transgender and gender expansive (TGE) children and youth suffer staggering rates of discrimination and are at higher risk of developing eating disorder symptoms and behaviors than cisgender youth. This article presents an overview of current research on identified risk factors for the development of eating disorders for TGE children and youth; provides clinical considerations for professionals in providing gender-affirming, collaborative eating disorder care; outlines specific concepts for staff training and for developing gender-affirming systems of care including policies and practices; and identifies numerous resources for TGE children and youth and their families. The clinical considerations and suggested practices reflect current research and clinical practice. Both the gender-affirmative clinical field and the eating disorder field are constantly evolving, and the recommendations and resources will need ongoing updates to reflect developments in these fields. [Pediatr Ann. 2021;50(9):e371-e378.].

LGB prevalence in schools is associated with unhealthy weight-control behaviors in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: a multilevel analysis

Background

Previous studies have found that a school climate of more heteronormativity is associated with adverse effects on the mental health of LGB students. Accordingly, our aim was to assess the association between lower LGB prevalence in schools and unhealthy weight-control behaviors among LGB youth.

Methods

A cross-sectional, multilevel study based in public high schools in the city of Olinda, Northeast Brazil. A multilevel logistic regression was performed, including 2500 adolescents enrolled in 27 schools. The contextual variable was the prevalence of LGB youth in each school (as a proxy for heteronormativity in schools), while the outcome was unhealthy weight-control behaviors (fasting, purging, and taking diet pills). We controlled for socioeconomic characteristics (age, sex, receiving a family allowance), obesity, and self-reported happiness.

Results

Lower LGB prevalence in schools was associated with higher odds of engaging in unhealthy weight-control behaviors (OR: 1.5, 95%CI: 1.0, 2.2) among all youth, regardless of sexual orientation. No cross-level interactions between school context and individual characteristics were statistically significant.

Conclusion

Lower LGB prevalence in schools was associated with a higher risk of unhealthy weight-control behaviors in youth regardless of sexual orientation, which may reflect either the contextual influence of school climate, or may be due to residual confounding.

Community norms for the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) among gender-expansive populations

PURPOSE

Gender-expansive individuals (i.e., those who identify outside of the binary system of man or woman) are a marginalized group that faces discrimination and have a high burden of mental health problems, but there is a paucity of research on eating disorders in this population. This study aimed to describe the community norms for the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) in gender-expansive populations.

METHODS

The participants were 988 gender-expansive individuals (defined as neither exclusively cisgender nor binary transgender) from The PRIDE study, an existing longitudinal cohort study of health outcomes in sexual and gender minority people.

RESULTS

We present the mean scores, standard deviations, and percentile ranks for the Global score and four subscale scores of the EDE-Q in this group as a whole and stratified by sex assigned at birth. Gender-expansive individuals reported any occurrence (≥1/28 days) of dietary restraint (23.0%), objective binge episodes (12.9%), excessive exercise (7.4%), self-induced vomiting (1.4%), or laxative misuse (1.2%). We found no statistically significant differences by sex assigned at birth. Compared to a prior study of transgender men and women, there were no significant differences in eating attitudes or disordered eating behaviors noted between gender-expansive individuals and transgender men. Transgender women reported higher Restraint and Shape Concern subscale scores compared to gender-expansive individuals. Compared to a prior study of presumed cisgender men 18-26 years, our age-matched gender-expansive sample had higher Eating, Weight, and Shape Concern subscales and Global Score, but reported a lower frequency of objective binge episodes and excessive exercise. Compared to a prior study of presumed cisgender women 18-25 years, our age-matched gender-expansive sample had a higher Shape Concern subscale score, a lower Restraint subscale score, and lower frequencies of self-induced vomiting, laxative misuse, and excessive exercise.

CONCLUSIONS

Gender-expansive individuals reported lower Restraint and Shape Concern scores than transgender women; higher Eating, Weight, and Shape Concern scores than presumed cisgender men; and lower Restraint but higher Shape Concern scores than presumed cisgender women. These norms can help clinicians in treating this population and interpreting the EDE-Q scores of their gender-expansive patients.

Examining day hospital treatment outcomes for sexual minority patients with eating disorders

OBJECTIVE

Epidemiological data support that sexual minorities (SM) report higher levels of eating pathology. Theories suggest these disparities exist due to stressors specific to belonging to a minority group; however, few studies have specifically explored differences between SM and heterosexual individuals in clinical eating disorder samples. Thus, the present study compared SM and heterosexual patients with eating disorders on demographic characteristics and eating disorder and psychological outcomes during day hospital treatment.

METHOD

Patients (N = 389) completed surveys of eating pathology, mood, anxiety, and skills use at treatment admission, 1-month post-admission, discharge, and 6-month follow-up. Overall, 19.8% of patients (n = 79) identified as SM, while 8.0% (n = 32) reported not identifying with any sexual orientation. SM were more likely to present across genders (17.7% of females, 24.2% of males, 33.3% of transgender patients, and 87.5% of nonbinary patients).

RESULTS

SM patients were significantly more likely to endorse major depressive disorder, panic disorder, and self-harm at admission than their heterosexual counterparts. Multilevel models demonstrated that across time, SM patients demonstrated greater eating pathology, emotion dysregulation, depressive symptoms, and anxiety symptoms. Significant interactions between sexual orientation and time were found for eating pathology and emotion dysregulation, such that although SM patients started treatment with higher scores, they improved at a faster rate compared to heterosexual patients.

DISCUSSION

Consistent with minority stress theory, SM patients report greater overall eating disorder and comorbid symptoms. Importantly, results do not support that there appear to be significant disparities in treatment outcome for SM patients in this sample of day hospital patients.

Sexual and gender minority individuals report higher rates of abuse and more severe eating disorder symptoms than cisgender heterosexual individuals at admission to eating disorder treatment

Eating disorders (EDs) occur at higher rates among sexual/gender minorities (SGMs). We currently know little about the risk factor profile of SGMs entering ED specialty care.

OBJECTIVE

To (a) compare history of abuse-related risk in SGMs to cisgender heterosexuals (CHs) when entering treatment, (b) determine if SGMs enter and exit treatment with more severe ED symptoms than CHs, and (c) determine if SGMs have different rates of improvement in ED symptoms during treatment compared to CHs.

METHOD

We analyzed data from 2,818 individuals treated at a large, US-based, ED center, 471 (17%) of whom identified as SGM. Objective 1 was tested using logistic regression and Objectives 2 and 3 used mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

SGMs had higher prevalence of sexual abuse (OR = 2.10, 95% CI = 1.71, 2.58), other trauma (e.g., verbal/physical/emotional abuse; OR = 2.07, 95% CI = 1.68, 2.54), and bullying (OR = 2.13, 95% CI = 1.73, 2.62) histories. SGMs had higher global EDE-Q scores than CHs at admission (γ = 0.42, SE = 0.08, p < .001) but improved faster early in treatment (γ = 0.316, SE = 0.12, p = .008). By discharge, EDE-Q scores did not differ between SGMs and CHs.

DISCUSSION

Our main hypothesis of greater abuse histories among SGMs was supported and could be one explanation of their more severe ED symptoms at treatment admission compared to CHs. In addition, elevated symptom severity in SGMs at admission coincides with greater delay between ED onset and treatment initiation among SGMs-possibly a consequence of difficulties with ED recognition in SGMs by healthcare providers. We recommend increased training for providers on identifying EDs in SGMs to reduce barriers to early intervention.

Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature

BACKGROUND

According to past research, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals experience a higher prevalence of psychopathology, which is attributable to the increased stress (i.e., stigma and prejudice) that they experience, as detailed by the minority stress model (MSM).

MAIN

This current literature review examined the empirical literature regarding the rates and types of, and risk factors for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in LGBT adults and adolescents, in addition to each individual subgroup (i.e., lesbians, gay males, bisexuals, transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals).

CONCLUSION

LGBT adults and adolescents experience greater incidence of eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors than their heterosexual and cisgender counterparts. Additionally, gay, bisexual, and transgender adults and adolescents were all at increased risk for eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors. Mixed results were found for lesbian adults and adolescents. Results are discussed within the framework of the MSM.