Nutrition Education for Transgender Individuals During Transition (P04-001-19)

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Over 90 million people around the world identify as transgender.1 The glaring lack of published nutrition research on the topic of transgender health drove our proposal to conduct this needs assessment. Additionally, we sought to determine whether medical nutrition intervention was desired, as well as uncovering any metabolically relevant side effects of hormone therapy. Methods To carry out our research we obtained IRB approval from Metropolitan State University of Denver at Auraria Campus. Following approval we then constructed a thirteen question survey via Qualtrics Software that was live for three weeks. Our team distributed flyers across the Auraria campus which also houses University of Colorado Denver and Community College of Denver. We also reached out to local partners such as It Takes a Village, The Name Change, and the LGBTQ Center at the Auraria Campus who were able to email a link to our survey to members of their outreach programs. Results Despite our efforts, our population size was fewer than desired as we only received responses from 12 individuals. Yet we were able to glean several trends from the data pool. The significant age bracket of respondents was between the ages of 18–29 with the majority of those within the 20–29 age bracket. It can then be correlated as to the number of years having received hormone replacement therapy being between 1–5 years as the age population was fairly low and thus could not have reasonably been on HRT for more than 5 years. 100% of respondents indicated that they would like additional counseling and information, specifically in regards to drug-diet interactions, weight management and supplementation. 100% of our respondents also indicated that they had not received any formal nutrition care during their transition. Conclusions With proper tools, time, and guidance we could further explore the medical nutritional needs across a multitude of transitioning phases. Main areas of focus should include sensitivity training, current health status, and proper monitoring of health changes specifically during the first 5 years of transitioning. It should be restated that transitioning individuals should be treated with a full integrative health care team. Funding Sources Our research was conducting as a Senior Capstone Project through the Metropolitan State University of Denver and therefore did not have any funding sources.