Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2025

A Computer-Based Platform for Aiding Clinicians in Eating Disorder Analysis and Diagnosis
Published on: May 10, 2022
Disordered eating in transgender and gender non-conforming youth: A comparison to community-based and clinical
Isabel C Quiñones1, Ellen Selkie2, Kathleen A Mammel3
1Department of Psychology, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Objective:
This study investigates eating pathology in transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth compared to a community-based sample and individuals with eating disorders (EDs).
Method:
Participants (ages 13-21 years) included TGNC youth from a paediatric gender clinic (N = 97), a demographically matched community-based sample of cisgender males (N = 97) and cisgender females (N = 97), and treatment-seeking patients with EDs (N = 112). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) was used to assess ED cognitions and behaviours.
Results:
Transgender and gender non-conforming participants reported significantly higher EDE-Q global scores compared to the cisgender samples, but significantly lower than the ED sample. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals reported a higher likelihood of objective binge episodes (OBEs) than the cisgender groups, albeit lower than youth with EDs. A substantial proportion of TGNC participants scored in elevated ranges on the EDE-Q global score (35% ≥ score of 3, 17% ≥ score of 4), significantly higher than cisgender males (0% ≥ score of 3, 0% ≥ score of 4) and females (9% ≥ score of 3, 3% ≥ score of 4).
Conclusions:
Findings indicate that TGNC youth exhibit increased ED cognitions and OBEs compared to cisgender samples, highlighting the need for screening and addressing ED symptoms in this population.
Related Concept Videos
Anorexia Nervosa
Symptoms and Physical Effects
Individuals with anorexia nervosa commonly exhibit extreme...
Binge Eating Disorders
Bulimia Nervosa
Conduct Disorder
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture
Self-Schemas

