Symposia
LGBQT+
Arielle Pearlman, PhD
Graduate Student
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland
Mikela Murphy, BA
Student
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
Bethesda, Maryland
Josh Gray, PhD
Assistant Professor
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS)
Bethesda, Maryland
Natasha Schvey, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences
Bethesda, Maryland
Data suggest that sexual and/or gender minority (SGM) adolescents and adults may be at higher risk for eating and weight pathology. However, these relationships remain understudied in children. Determining the prevalence of eating pathology among SGM children is especially relevant given that childhood is a crucial developmental period for the onset of disordered eating attitudes and behaviors. The current study therefore assessed the prevalence of eating pathology among both SGM and non-SGM identifying children utilizing data from the Adolescent Brain and Cognitive Development Study. Children were queried via computerized questionnaire (e.g. “Are you gay or bisexual?”, “Are you transgender?”). Response options include “yes,” “maybe,” “no,” and “I do not understand this question.” In accordance with prior convention, youths responding “yes” or “maybe” to either item were coded as probable sexual and/or gender minorities (SGM). Participants completed the KSADS clinical interview to assess both sub- and full-threshold eating disorders (ED; i.e. AN, BN, BED). Descriptive statistics were utilized to assess the prevalence of eating pathology at the 2-year follow-up visit. The total sample included 6,477 youth (Mage: 11.92y, 47.8% female, 48.8% racial/ethnic minority, 7.3% probable SGM, 3.8% with a sub or full-threshold ED). For those who identified as probable SGM, the prevalence of ED was 4.2% (n= 20), whereas the prevalence for those who did not identify as probable SGM was 3.8% (n=222) (p > .05)). Preliminary findings suggest that the prevalence of eating pathology among SGM youth does not differ compared to their non-SGM counterpartsthough these analyses may be impacted by limited power. Prospective research is needed to examine the emerging trends in eating pathology prevalence among SGM youth over time and consider the contribution of stigma and discrimination in relation to eating pathology within this population.