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Cited by 141Eating Disorders and BehaviorsNutrition, Health and Food BehaviorLGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy

Sexual Orientation, Weight Concerns, and Eating-Disordered Behaviors in Adolescent Girls and Boys

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AUSTIN, S. BRYN, ZIYADEH, NAJAT, KAHN, JESSICA A., CAMARGO, CARLOS A., COLDITZ, GRAHAM A., FIELD, ALISON E.·2004·Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
DOI 10.1097/01.chi.0000131139.93862.10
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Abstract

Objective To examine sexual orientation group differences in eating disorder symptoms in adolescent girls and boys.Method Cross-sectional associations were examined using multivariate regression techniques using data gathered in 1999 from 10,583 adolescents in the Growing Up Today Study, a cohort of children of women participating in the Nurses' Health Study II.Results Ninety-two percent of the cohort described themselves as heterosexual, 5% as mostly heterosexual, 1% as lesbian/gay/bisexual, and 2% as unsure. Both mostly heterosexual girls and boys had greater concerns with weight and appearance and were less happy with their bodies compared with same-gender heterosexuals (all p < .05). Compared with heterosexual girls, the mostly heterosexual girls were more likely to vomit/use laxatives to control weight (odds ratio 1.7; 95% confidence interval = 1.2-2.6) and to binge eat (odds ratio 2.3; 95% confidence interval = 1.4-3.8) in the past year. Compared with heterosexual boys, gay/bisexual boys were more concerned with trying to look like men in the media (p < .05) and more likely to binge (odds ratio 15.2; 95% confidence interval = 3.3-69). Compared with heterosexual girls, lesbian/bisexual girls were happier with their bodies (p < .05) and less concerned with trying to look like women in the media (p < .05).Conclusions Mostly heterosexual girls and boys are a newly identified group at increased risk of eating disorder symptoms. Gay/bisexual boys were also at increased risk.

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Research works printed but not linked: 2

  1. Heffernan K (1994), Sexual orientation as a factor in risk for binge eating and bulimia nervosa: a review. Int J Eat Disord 16:335-347
  2. Murnen SK, Smolak L (1997), Femininity, masculinity, and disordered eating: a meta-analytic review. Int J Eat Disord 22:231-242

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Authors
AUSTIN, S. B., ZIYADEH, N., KAHN, J. A., CAMARGO, C. A., COLDITZ, G. A., & FIELD, A. E.
Affiliations
  • Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center (US)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital (US)
ORCID
Venue
Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2004-09
Volume
43
Issue
9
Pages
1115-1123
ISSN
0890-8567 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1097/01.chi.0000131139.93862.10
OpenAlex
W2030068931
Cited by
141
References
45
Citations by year
2026: 3 · 2025: 1 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 7 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 8 · 2018: 9 · 2017: 7 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 11 · 2014: 7 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 3
FWCI
8.39
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Maternal and Child Health Bureau (6T71-MC00009-12-01)
  • National Institutes of Health (DK46834)
  • Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
  • National Eating Disorders Association
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Eating Disorders and Behaviors
  • Health Sciences › Nursing › Nutrition and Dietetics › Nutrition, Health and Food Behavior
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › LGBTQ Health, Identity, and Policy
Keywords
sexual orientation, eating disorders, adolescent girls, adolescent boys, weight concern, body image, binge eating, purging behavior, Growing Up Today Study
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Bisexuality, Body Image, Body Weight, Bulimia, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Sexual Behavior, United States, Cohort Studies, Homosexuality, Male, Homosexuality, Female

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