Results of an Online Survey about Food Insecurity and Eating Disorder Behaviors Administered to a Volunteer Sample of Self-Described LGBTQ+ Young Adults Aged 18 to 35 Years

Abstract

BackgroundThere are few published studies addressing food insecurity and eating disorders in lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals. ObjectiveThe primary objective of this study was to describe the proportion of food insecurity and eating disorder behaviors in a volunteer sample of LGBTQ+ individuals aged 18 to 35 years. DesignThis study was a cross-sectional analysis of questionnaire data collected from 253 participants between March 2018 and March 2019. Participants and settingTo be included in the study, participants had to be aged 18 to 35 years and identify as being LGBTQ+. Main outcome measuresFood security score, Eating Attitudes Test score, Eating Disorder Examination Self-Report Questionnaire score, anxiety score (Beck), and depressive symptoms score. Statistical analyses performedThe χ2 test was used to analyze the categorical outcomes. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare continuous variables across gender identity groups. All P values < 0.05 were taken as statistically significant. ResultsThe proportion of participants identifying as a woman, trans male, gender nonconforming, and a man were 39%, 24%, 24%, and 13%, respectively. Food insecurity was reported by 54.4% of respondents with trans males reporting the highest proportions (64.8%). High levels of depressive symptoms were reported by 68.2% of men, 89.8% of women, 91.4% of trans males, and 95.5% of gender-nonconforming respondents (P = 0.009). High anxiety was reported by 20.5%. Eating Disorder Examination Self-Report Questionnaire scores were significantly higher (P < 0.001) compared with a community-based sample. The eating disorder behavior most frequently reported by respondents was binge eating. Only 4.3% reported having sought treatment for an eating disorder. ConclusionsMembers of the LGBTQ+ community are at greater risk for food insecurity, eating disorders, and depression, particularly those who identify as trans males. These findings denote the need to focus future research efforts on effective prevention and treatment strategies that are specific to sexual and gender identity groups within the LGBTQ+ community.