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Updated: Oct 1, 2026
Establishment of Rat Models Mimicking Gender-affirming Hormone Therapies
Published on: January 10, 2025
Nutritional, Cardiometabolic, and Psychosocial Profile of Transgender People Undergoing Hormone Therapy in La
Rodrigo Hernán Torres Bravo1, María Angélica Hernández Moreno1, Pablo Eliseo Navarro Cáceres2
1Departamento de Salud Pública, Universidad de La Frontera, Temuco, Chile.
Abstract:
Transgender people undergoing gender-affirming hormone therapy (GAHT) have nutritional, cardiometabolic, and psychosocial vulnerabilities that remain poorly characterized in Chile.
Aim:
To describe these profiles in individuals attending the adult gender outpatient clinic at the Hospital Dr. Hernán Henríquez Aravena in Temuco.
Methods:
A quantitative, observational, descriptive, and exploratory study was conducted in 41 adults undergoing GAHT, evaluated between August 2024 and January 2025. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, and body composition data were collected in conjunction with the Chilean Mediterranean Diet Index, as well as clinical and psychosocial data, including biochemical and hematological markers relevant to a nutritional and cardiometabolic assessment. The analysis was descriptive, with non-inferential exploratory associations.
Results:
The sample was predominantly young (mean age 22.7 years), urban, low-income, and mostly transmasculine (78%). Overnutrition was present in 71% and abdominal obesity in 61%; transmasculine individuals showed greater adiposity and muscle mass, while transfeminine individuals predominantly had normal weight with a higher fat percentage, consistent with an estrogenic effect. Adherence to the Mediterranean pattern was low in 71%, with high sugar intake and low consumption of healthy foods. Most cardiometabolic parameters remained within clinical reference ranges; however, 19.5% met criteria for metabolic syndrome and 24.4% were classified as moderate/high cardiovascular risk, concentrated among transmasculine individuals. Smoking prevalence reached 51%, with co-occurrence of alcohol and cannabis use. In the psychosocial domain, 44% reported stable mood, 46% were in psychotherapy, and 19% reported suicidal ideation, mostly past; family support predominated.
Conclusions:
These findings demonstrate a high frequency of overnutrition, concentrated cardiometabolic risk factors, and significant psychosocial needs, underscoring the importance of comprehensive, culturally competent interventions with longitudinal follow-up in the public health system.
