Body Appreciation in Lesbian, Bisexual, and Queer Women: Examining a Model of Social Support, Resilience, and Self-Esteem

Body Image Among Sexual and Gender Minorities: An Intersectional Analysis

Body image is consequential for overall well-being and has a complex relation to gender. Sexual and gender minority (SGM) individuals develop body image amid intersecting systems of oppression, such as sexism, cisnormativity, heteronormativity, and gender binary pressures. This study used an intersectionality framework to examine how various aspects of gender identification (cis/trans, binary/nonbinary, woman/man identification) related to body image differences among SGM individuals. We also assessed whether identification with conventionally masculine and feminine personality traits predicted body image. We used one-way and two-way ANOVAs and linear regressions to analyze two indicators of body image (body appreciation and drive for muscularity) in a sample of 643 SGM individuals (148 sexual minority (SM) cis women, 171 trans women, 121 SM cis men, 43 trans men, 160 nonbinary individuals). Results implicated cisnormativity as an influential and hierarchical force for body image, although woman/man and binary/nonbinary identification also played roles in group differences. With a few exceptions, masculine but not feminine trait identification significantly predicted body appreciation and drive for muscularity, indicating a complicated association with overall body image. These findings underscore the value of an intersectional lens for analyzing how broad social forces may manifest in individual-level body image for SGM individuals.

Determinants of body image disturbance and disordered eating behaviors among self-identified LGBTQ individuals

It has been previously established that sexual minorities are more likely to suffer from mental health illnesses due to experiencing unique stressors such as fear, anxiety, stigma, harassment, and prejudice. Results revealed two noteworthy mental health disorders reported by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals, disordered eating behaviors and disturbed body image. Yet, a-priori studies revealed inconsistent results with regards to body image concerns and eating disorder symptoms and attitudes among sexual minorities. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed at investigating the occurrence of disordered eating behaviors (DEB) and body image disturbance (BID) among sexual minorities in Lebanon. Additionally, the correlation between several determinants of DEB and BID including fear of negative evaluation, generalized anxiety, social support, and harassment levels have been examined. Generally, the present study revealed that LGBTQ population scored higher than cisgender and heterosexual individuals for the mean and global scores of the EDE-Q6.0 and BAS-2. Only generalized anxiety and fear of negative evaluation scales were significantly associated with DEB and BID among different sexual orientation and gender identity individuals. Therefore, it is very important that health professionals working with such vulnerable populations meticulously assess for disordered eating behaviors and body image disturbance for better communication and management.

Body satisfaction of lesbian and bisexual Brazilian women: Indicators of self-esteem, physical appearance perfectionism, and identity processes

This article examined the association between body satisfaction and sexual identification among lesbian and bisexual women, since these factors help to understand the cultural background of the objectification of female bodies in Latin cultures. Women who identify as lesbian (N = 239) and bisexual (N = 60) completed demographic data and measures of self-esteem, physical appearance perfectionism, lesbian and bisexual identity difficulties, and body satisfaction. We performed a three-stage hierarchical multiple regression to explore how variables relate to body satisfaction. The results suggest that self-esteem plays a key role, explaining 20.4% of the variance in body satisfaction. We discussed the psychosocial and cultural aspects involved in the relationship between the variables, and social and aesthetic pressures on women's bodies. This study contributes to discussions on psychosocial aspects associated with body satisfaction among Brazilian lesbian and bisexual women.

The Influence of Memorable Message Receipt on Dietary and Exercise Behavior among Self-Identified Black Women

Guided by Control Theory and the memorable messages framework, the current investigation examined the relationship between receipt of a health-related memorable message and self-reported diet and exercise behavior. A cross-sectional survey methodology was utilized to evaluate the relationship between receipt of a memorable message and dietary and exercise behaviors in a sample of Black women. Over 80% of the research sample (N = 121) reported receiving a memorable health message regarding diet and/or exercise. Women receiving a memorable message reported a significantly higher number of days engaging in healthy eating and exercise behaviors each week. Messages from medical professionals had the greatest impact on healthy dietary practices, while media-based messages were most influential on the enactment of exercise behavior. Additional research is warranted to determine how the utilization and reinforcement of memorable messages impacts health outcomes among Black women.

Body Appreciation as a Factor Associated with College Students' Willingness to Receive Future COVID-19 Vaccines

Background: Following the initial manufacture of COVID-19 vaccines, numerous studies have investigated factors that influence people’s vaccination intentions. However, no studies have examined links of vaccination attitudes with body-related attitudes, especially body appreciation. To address this gap in the literature, we conducted this study to disentangle the relationship between college students’ COVID-19 vaccination intentions and body appreciation. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Chinese college students. Participants completed the Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) and other questionnaire measures of demographics, intentions to be vaccinated, and attitudes toward COVID-19 vaccination programs. Results: A total of 2058 college students participated in this study. Students who were willing to get COVID-19 vaccines had significantly higher BAS-2 scores than did those who were unwilling to receive a vaccine (3.61 ± 0.84 vs. 3.34 ± 0.92, p < 0.001). A hierarchical multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to test the association between body appreciation and COVID-19 vaccine intentions when controlling for other covariates; elevated BAS-2 scores were associated with greater willingness to receive COVID-19 vaccines (OR = 1.250, 95%CI: 1.112–1.406, p < 0.001), independent of other significant influences. Conclusion: Our study was the first to reveal that body appreciation is a significant factor related to college students’ COVID-19 vaccination intentions. Public health interventions designed to improve people’s body-appreciation levels may help in efforts to promote universal immunization.

Psychometric evaluation of the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI) among cisgender gay men and cisgender lesbian women

Despite increasing empirical interest in muscle dysmorphia (MD), a dearth of research has assessed this construct in sexual minority populations. In particular, the psychometric properties of one of the most widely used measures of MD symptoms-the Muscle Dysmorphic Disorder Inventory (MDDI)-have not been evaluated in sexual minority populations despite emerging evidence suggesting differential risk for MD symptoms across sexual orientation groups. In this study, we assessed the psychometric properties of the MDDI in a sample of 715 cisgender gay men and 404 cisgender lesbian women ages 18-50 years who participated in a large-scale national longitudinal cohort study of sexual and gender minority adults. The factor structure of the MDDI was examined in each sample using a two-step, split-sample exploratory and confirmatory factor analytic approach. Exploratory factor analysis supported a three-factor structure in both samples, which were confirmed by confirmatory factor analysis. Moreover, results supported the internal consistency reliability and convergent validity of the MDDI subscales in both samples. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that the MDDI is an appropriate measure of MD symptoms among cisgender gay men and cisgender lesbian women.

My body. My politics. An exploration of body image and health in Barbadian sexual minority women

There is a dearth of research on how pervasive Western stereotypes of the ideal body affect non-heterosexual women, and this body of research shrinks even further when considering sexual minority women in the Caribbean. This study aimed to uncover how negotiations between identity, desire, and body politics are being navigated and experienced by sexual minority women in Barbados, along with examining concerns about body image, the impact of societal expectations, and the consequences of these expectations on physical and mental health. Using a qualitative methodology that employed a semi-structured guide, thirteen women were interviewed over the course of a year. Thematic analysis revealed three major themes that centered around the interconnectivity of desire and presentation as it related to body image; distancing from Western influences and grappling with local body ideals; and the ways in which layered events and identities have resulted in complicated relationships with food. A selection of identified community needs is also offered in conclusion.

Role of Sex on the Relationship Between Sexual Minority Status and Misperceptions of Body Weight Among High School Students

PURPOSE

Misperception of body weight during adolescence is a risk factor for negative self-image, harmful eating/dietary habits (e.g., binge eating and purging), and body dysmorphia. Sexual minority youth, particularly males, may be at increased risk for misperceptions of body weight, relative to youth who do not identify as a sexual minority. This study examines the risk for misperception of body weight among sexual minority youth and explores biological sex as an effect modifier in this relationship.

METHODS

We pooled data from the 2015 and 2017 Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance Surveys. Participants were 18,634 high school students who were not overweight/obese. Multivariable logistic regression examined the association between sexual minority status (i.e., gay, lesbian, bisexual, and unsure) and misperceptions of body weight (i.e., self-perceived as overweight/severely overweight). Weighted multivariable logistic regression analyses, stratified by biological sex, were used to compare this relationship across males and females. Covariates included race/ethnicity, grade, bullying victimization, television/electronic screen time, and tobacco use.

RESULTS

Overall, 16.6% of the sample self-reported misperceptions of body weight. Sexual minority youth had 1.49 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.28-1.73) greater odds of misperception of body weight, adjusting for covariates; this relationship was found across biological sex, but that the main effect was significantly greater among sexual minority males (adjusted odds ratio: 2.24, 95% CI: 1.65-3.03) relative to sexual minority females (adjusted odds ratio: 1.33, 95% CI: 1.11-1.59).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual minority youth had greater odds of overestimating their weight status. Biological sex appears to modify this relationship with sexual minority males being at particularly high risk for overestimating their weight status.