Disordered eating in transgender and gender non-conforming youth: A comparison to community-based and clinical samples.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigates eating pathology in transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) youth compared to a community-based sample and individuals with eating disorders (EDs). METHOD: Participants (ages 13-21 years) included TGNC youth from a paediatric gender clinic (N = 97), a demographically matched community-based sample of cisgender males (N = 97) and cisgender females (N = 97), and treatment-seeking patients with EDs (N = 112). The Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire (EDE-Q) was used to assess ED cognitions and behaviours. RESULTS: Transgender and gender non-conforming participants reported significantly higher EDE-Q global scores compared to the cisgender samples, but significantly lower than the ED sample. Transgender and gender non-conforming individuals reported a higher likelihood of objective binge episodes (OBEs) than the cisgender groups, albeit lower than youth with EDs. A substantial proportion of TGNC participants scored in elevated ranges on the EDE-Q global score (35% ≥ score of 3, 17% ≥ score of 4), significantly higher than cisgender males (0% ≥ score of 3, 0% ≥ score of 4) and females (9% ≥ score of 3, 3% ≥ score of 4). CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that TGNC youth exhibit increased ED cognitions and OBEs compared to cisgender samples, highlighting the need for screening and addressing ED symptoms in this population.

Reducing eating disorder risk among male athletes: A randomized controlled trial investigating the male athlete body project.

OBJECTIVE: No study to date has investigated an intervention program for male athletes that targets eating disorder risk factors. The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of the Male Athlete Body Project (MABP), an adaptation of the Female Athlete Body Project on body dissatisfaction, drive for muscularity, body-ideal internalization, and muscle dysmorphia. METHOD: Participants were 79 male collegiate athletes who were randomized to the MABP (n = 39) or an assessment-only control condition (n = 40). All participants completed psychometrically validated measures at three time points: baseline, post-treatment (3 weeks after baseline for the control condition), and 1-month follow-up. RESULTS: Hierarchical Linear Modeling assessed differences between conditions across time. Interaction effects revealed that participation in the MABP improved satisfaction with specific body parts and reduced drive for muscularity and body-ideal internalization at post-treatment compared to a control group. Athletes in the MABP also reported increased body areas satisfaction and reductions in drive for muscularity at 1-month follow-up. Reductions in supplement use were observed at 1-month follow-up only. DISCUSSION: This study provides preliminary evidence of the efficacy of the MABP in reducing some eating disorder risk factors up to 1 month after the intervention; follow-up study considerations are discussed. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04077177 PUBLIC SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the importance of eating disorder and body image intervention efforts for male athletes. Findings suggest that male college athletes who attended a 3-session group intervention based on a well-established program for college women experienced an increase in satisfaction with specific body areas and a reduction in some eating disorder risk factors (e.g., drive for muscularity, supplement use, and body-ideal internalization) compared to a control group.

Overweight preoccupation is associated with eating pathology in male collegiate athletes with body dissatisfaction.

PURPOSE: This study examined specific aspects of body dissatisfaction and drive for muscularity as correlates of eating pathology and explored sport confidence as a moderator of these associations in male collegiate athletes. METHOD: Ninety-three male collegiate athletes who endorsed body dissatisfaction and were enrolled in a body dissatisfaction intervention study completed baseline measures of appearance orientation, appearance evaluation, overweight preoccupation, muscularity-oriented attitudes and behaviors, eating pathology symptoms, and sport confidence. RESULTS: There were significant associations between overweight preoccupation and cognitive restraint, purging, binge eating, and excessive exercise, appearance orientation and cognitive restraint, negative appearance evaluation and restricting, muscularity-oriented attitudes and binge eating, and muscularity-oriented behaviors and excessive exercise. Low-to-moderate sport confidence moderated the association between muscularity-oriented behaviors and purging. CONCLUSION: Findings highlight a need for interventions targeting drive for muscularity and body dissatisfaction, especially overweight preoccupation, in male collegiate athletes. Findings additionally suggest a need to further examine the utility of sport confidence in prevention and intervention programs targeting eating pathology in larger samples of male athletes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: V, Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Body dissatisfaction among ethnic subgroups of Latin women: An examination of acculturative stress and ethnic identity.

This study investigated (1) ethnic group differences in body dissatisfaction (BD) among specific Latina subgroups, (2) acculturative stress as a mediator between ethnic group and BD, and (3) ethnic identification as a moderator between 3a) ethnic group and BD and 3b) acculturative stress and BD. Mexican (n = 30), Puerto Rican (n = 31), Cuban (n = 29), and non-Hispanic, White (n = 30) women in the US completed self-report questionnaires. Group comparisons indicated Mexicans reported greater BD compared to Whites, while Puerto Ricans and Cubans did not differ from Whites. A significant indirect effect indicated that acculturative stress mediated the association between ethnic group and BD. Acculturative stress predicted BD at low and average levels of ethnic identification. Additionally, there were significant differences comparing Cubans to Mexicans and Puerto Ricans, which were dependent on ethnic identification. Thus, higher ethnic identification may serve as a protective factor for Cubans. Findings support separating subgroups of Latinas and that higher ethnic identification may protect against the development of BD in Latinas experiencing acculturative stress. Assessments and interventions should address acculturative stress since higher levels were associated with higher levels of BD, and the combination of ethnic group, acculturative stress, and ethnic identification may help explain differences in BD among Latinas.