Chest Binding: Sociodemographic Characteristics Among a National Sample of Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents

Abstract

PurposeThere is a paucity of national data documenting chest binding practices among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) adolescents, despite the possibility that adolescents chest bind at high rates due to gender identity exploration and/or structural barriers to accessing other gender affirmation strategies. MethodsWe used data from the 2022 LGBTQ National Teen Survey to estimate the prevalence and sociodemographic characteristics of chest binding among TGD adolescents assigned female at birth (AFAB; n = 6,080), and, in supplementary analyses, a broader sample of AFAB and intersex LGBTQ+ adolescents (n = 7,622). ResultsNearly two-thirds (63.8%) of TGD AFAB adolescents in our sample reported chest binding. More than 80% of transgender boys reported chest binding. Chest binding varied by some sociodemographics but was prevalent across many characteristics. DiscussionChest binding is a common gender exploration and affirmation strategy among TGD AFAB adolescents. Adolescent health providers require data to inform evidence-based healthcare related to chest binding.