Towards gender-affirming nutrition assessment: a case series of adult transgender men with distinct nutrition considerations

Whitney Linsenmeyer,Michael Thomure,Theresa Drallmeier

doi:10.1186/s12937-020-00590-4

Whitney Linsenmeyer, Michael Thomure + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-020-00590-4

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Journal: Nutrition journal	Publication Date: Jul 16, 2020
Citations: 18	License type: open-access

Affiliation: Saint Louis University

Abstract

No guidelines exist regarding nutrition assessment for transgender or gender non-conforming patients. Multiple nutrition assessment methods utilize gender-specific values that provide distinct recommendations for males and females. This clinical case series depicts the food and nutrition considerations of ten adult transgender men using anthropometric, survey, and dietary recall data. Male reference values were used to analyze patient data, though multiple approaches to nutrition assessment in the transgender population are discussed. Major nutrition-related concerns were obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake and high sodium intake; disordered eating was not a prominent concern. Further research is needed to inform nutrition care for the transgender and gender non-conforming populations.

Highlights

Nutrition assessment is the first step of the Nutrition Care Process, or the systematic approach to delivering nutrition care [1]
Recommendations for anthropometric measures such as waist circumference and body fat percentage differ for men and women
A review of studies specific to transgender men identified that testosterone therapy resulted in body mass index (BMI) increases up to 11.5%, decreases in HDLcholesterol and increases in LDL-cholesterol, and increases in hemoglobin and hematocrit [6]

Summary

Introduction

Nutrition assessment is the first step of the Nutrition Care Process, or the systematic approach to delivering nutrition care [1]. Multiple nutrition assessment methods utilize gender-specific values in that they provide distinct recommendations for males and females. Recommendations for anthropometric measures such as waist circumference and body fat percentage differ for men and women. The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) reflect values for males and females. In the United States, an estimated 0.6% of the adult population, or 1.4 million adults, identify as transgender [2]. No guidelines exist regarding nutrition assessment for transgender or gender non-conforming patients [3]. Transgender patients may opt to medically transition

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