Orthorexia nervosa symptomatology in the LGBTQ community: Gender and sexual orientation differences

Abstract

This study investigated whether gender and sexual minority groups exhibit differences in orthorexia nervosa (ON) symptomatology compared to cisgender, straight individuals. A sample of 441 non-clinical participants (65 % White, mean age = 27) reported their gender (104 cisgender men, 229 cisgender women, 28 transgender men, 27 transgender women, 53 nonbinary) and sexual orientation (144 straight, 45 gay, 54 lesbian, 105 bisexual/pansexual, 68 queer), and completed the Orthorexia Nervosa Inventory. The LGBTQ group exhibited greater ON symptomatology compared to the cisgender, straight group. ANOVAs demonstrated significant group differences according to gender and sexual orientation. Post-hoc tests revealed that transgender women exhibited greater ON symptomatology than cisgender men and cisgender women. However, nonbinary individuals exhibited lower ON symptomatology than cisgender women, transgender men, and transgender women. Additionally, lesbians exhibited greater ON symptomatology than straight individuals. Our findings suggest that individuals with an LGBTQ identity, particularly transgender women and lesbians, may experience greater ON symptomatology than cisgender, straight individuals. However, nonbinary individuals appear to experience lower ON symptomatology, which may relate to a lack of alignment with masculine or feminine ideals, such that these individuals may feel a lack of need to conform to a certain appearance ideal based on gender norms.