Anthropometry, body composition, nutritional intake and eating behavior of transgender people

This exploratory cross-sectional study related anthropometry, body composition, energy and nutritional intake, and risk of eating disorders among transgender people in the gender transition process.

Cross-sectional study; data collection from March to May 2023. Sixteen transgender people (62.5% assigned female at birth, AFAB), 18 to 53 y, were assessed regarding the risk of eating disorders (eating attitudes test-26), dietary intake (semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire), and body composition (electrical bioimpedance).

The prevalence of overweight was 50.0%, and 12.5% presented a high risk of eating disorders. The absolute differences in body composition when male or female sex is selected on the equipment were below 0.8% for muscle mass and below 1.1% for fat mass. AFAB and assigned male at birth (AMAB) participants seem to differ regarding the associations between the risk of eating disorders and their weight status, energy, and nutritional intake. Intake and risk of eating disorders do not seem to follow the sex assigned at birth, but rather gender identity.

Transgender people assigned female or male at birth need different nutritional care, and individual processes and influences should be taken into account by health professionals. The results introduce elements for better nutritional care, particularly regarding the minimal impact of sex/gender selection on bioimpedance equipment in the context of a consultation.