Prevalence of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care

Jessica A Kerr; Jessica Paine; Emily Thrower; Monsurul Hoq; Catherine Mollica; Susan M Sawyer; Peter S Azzopardi; Ken C Pang

doi:10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.11.396

Prevalence of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care

J Adolesc Health. 2024 Apr;74(4):850-853. doi: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.11.396. Epub 2024 Jan 9.

Authors

Jessica A Kerr¹, Jessica Paine², Emily Thrower², Monsurul Hoq³, Catherine Mollica², Susan M Sawyer³, Peter S Azzopardi⁴, Ken C Pang⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, New Zealand; Population Health and Clinical Sciences Themes, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
² Royal Children's Hospital Department of Adolescent Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
³ Population Health and Clinical Sciences Themes, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia.
⁴ Population Health and Clinical Sciences Themes, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Adolescent Health and Wellbeing Program, Telethon Kids Institute, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
⁵ Population Health and Clinical Sciences Themes, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia; Royal Children's Hospital Department of Adolescent Medicine, Parkville, Victoria, Australia. Electronic address: ken.pang@mcri.edu.au.

PMID: 38206224
DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2023.11.396

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among adolescents seeking gender-affirming care.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 660 gender-diverse adolescents who completed the Branched Eating Disorder Test to measure anorexia and bulimia symptoms.

Results: 23.9% (95% CI 20.7-27.4) reported both anorexia symptoms, namely overvaluation of weight and fear of (or recurrent interference with) weight gain. 0.9% (95% CI 0.3-2.0) reported all bulimia symptoms, namely overvaluation of weight, recurrent binge eating, and recurrent compensatory behaviors (e.g., weekly purging). For all symptoms, prevalence was higher among i) adolescents assigned female at birth compared to those assigned male at birth, and ii) adolescents who felt unsure about their gender identity compared to those who identified as trans or nonbinary.

Discussion: Clinicians should monitor eating disorder symptoms among adolescents presenting for gender-affirming care, especially among those assigned female at birth or who are unsure about their gender identity.

Keywords: Adolescents; Anorexia nervosa; Bulimia nervosa; Eating disorder behaviors; Gender diverse; Paediatric; Trans; Transgender; Young people.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Anorexia
Anorexia Nervosa* / diagnosis
Binge-Eating Disorder* / epidemiology
Bulimia Nervosa* / epidemiology
Bulimia*
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Feeding and Eating Disorders* / epidemiology
Female
Gender Identity
Gender-Affirming Care
Humans
Male
Prevalence
Transgender Persons*