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A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
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Beyond the Binary: Differences in Eating Disorder Prevalence by Gender Identity in a Transgender Sample
Elizabeth W Diemer1, Jaclyn M White Hughto2,3, Allegra R Gordon4,5
1Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts.
Transgender Health
|January 24, 2018
Summary
Gender nonconforming individuals assigned female at birth show higher lifetime eating disorder (ED) risk compared to male-to-female participants. Further research and gender-inclusive care are crucial for addressing ED disparities.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Eating disorders (EDs) represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding ED prevalence across diverse gender identities within transgender populations is crucial for targeted interventions.
- Previous research has not sufficiently explored ED risk variations among transgender individuals with different gender identities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the prevalence of lifetime eating disorders (EDs) across various gender identity groups within a transgender sample.
- To identify specific transgender subgroups at higher risk for developing EDs.
- To inform the development of gender-responsive ED prevention and treatment strategies.
Main Methods:
- Secondary analysis of Project VOICE data, a cross-sectional study of 452 transgender adults.
- Age-adjusted logistic regression models were used to compare lifetime ED prevalence.
- Participants were categorized into female-to-male (FTM), male-to-female (MTF), gender-nonconforming assigned male at birth (MBGNC), and gender-nonconforming assigned female at birth (FBGNC; referent).
Main Results:
- Male-to-female (MTF) participants had significantly lower odds of lifetime EDs compared to FBGNC participants (OR=0.14, p=0.022).
- Female-to-male (FTM) participants showed marginally lower odds of lifetime EDs compared to FBGNC participants (OR=0.46, p=0.068).
- No statistically significant differences in ED prevalence were observed for MBGNC individuals compared to FBGNC participants.
Conclusions:
- Gender nonconforming individuals assigned female at birth exhibit a potentially heightened lifetime risk for EDs relative to MTF individuals.
- Further investigation into biological and psychosocial risk factors for EDs in transgender populations is warranted.
- Developing gender-responsive interventions and ensuring clinical competency beyond the gender binary are essential for addressing ED disparities.
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