Sexual Minority College Undergraduate Students Have Worse Health-Related Quality of Life, Diet Quality, and Weight Dissatisfaction Than Their Heterosexual Peers

Abstract

ObjectiveAssess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL), diet quality (DQ), and weight dissatisfaction in sexual minority (SM) undergraduates. MethodsUndergraduates (n = 690) at 2 universities completed a survey assessing HRQOL, body mass index, DQ, and weight dissatisfaction. A multivariate analysis of covariance assessed HRQOL between SM and heterosexual students. Chi-square tests and independent t tests measured weight dissatisfaction and DQ. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. ResultsSignificant differences in HRQOL were observed (F[6,584] = 8.89; P < 0.001; Wilk's Λ = 0.916; partial η2 = 0.084). Sexual minority students experienced more days per month feeling sad/blue/depressed (12.0 ± 9.7 vs 6.3 ± 7.8 days; P < 0.001) and worried/tense/anxious (18.1 ± 10.2 vs 10.9 ± 9.8 days; P < 0.001); and fewer days feeling healthy and full of energy (6.8 ± 6.5 vs 11.4 ± 8.7 days; P < 0.001). Sexual minority students consumed more sugar (14.4 ± 7.9 g vs 10.2 ± 7.1 g; P = 0.020), had higher body mass indexes (25.8 ± 6.1 vs 24.4 ± 4.8; P = 0.005), and were less satisfied with their weight (30.7% vs 44.0%; P = 0.001). Conclusions and ImplicationsSexual minority undergraduates experience similar health disparities as other SM populations and have indicators of poorer DQ.