Michelle Marie Johns1, Richard Lowry1, Zewditu Demissie1,2, Leah Robin1. 1. Division of Adolescent and School Health, National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. 2. US Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, Rockville, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority girls (lesbian/bisexual) and girls with overweight/obesity experience high rates of discrimination and mental distress. This study explored whether BMI or perceived weight status might compound sexual minority girls' risk for harassment and mental distress. METHODS: Data on female students from the national 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 7,006) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in bullying, harassment, and mental distress across sexual identity/BMI groups: heterosexual/normal-weight, heterosexual/overweight, sexual minority/normal-weight, and sexual minority/overweight. Procedures were repeated with four analogous groups created from sexual identity and perceived weight. RESULTS: Across sexual identity/BMI groups, being overweight increased heterosexual females' odds of being bullied or experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Regardless of weight status, sexual minority females had greater odds for each outcome than heterosexual females. Sexual minority females who perceived themselves as overweight had greater odds of suicidality than all other sexual minority/perceived weight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Double jeopardy may exist for sexual minority female students who perceive themselves as overweight. Professional development with school staff on how to create a positive climate for sexual minorities and those with overweight/obesity and addressing positive identity and body image within school-based suicide prevention efforts may be important to the well-being of adolescent girls.
OBJECTIVE: Sexual minority girls (lesbian/bisexual) and girls with overweight/obesity experience high rates of discrimination and mental distress. This study explored whether BMI or perceived weight status might compound sexual minority girls' risk for harassment and mental distress. METHODS: Data on female students from the national 2015 Youth Risk Behavior Survey (n = 7,006) were analyzed. Logistic regression was used to examine differences in bullying, harassment, and mental distress across sexual identity/BMI groups: heterosexual/normal-weight, heterosexual/overweight, sexual minority/normal-weight, and sexual minority/overweight. Procedures were repeated with four analogous groups created from sexual identity and perceived weight. RESULTS: Across sexual identity/BMI groups, being overweight increased heterosexual females' odds of being bullied or experiencing suicidal thoughts and behaviors. Regardless of weight status, sexual minority females had greater odds for each outcome than heterosexual females. Sexual minority females who perceived themselves as overweight had greater odds of suicidality than all other sexual minority/perceived weight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Double jeopardy may exist for sexual minority female students who perceive themselves as overweight. Professional development with school staff on how to create a positive climate for sexual minorities and those with overweight/obesity and addressing positive identity and body image within school-based suicide prevention efforts may be important to the well-being of adolescent girls.
Authors: Michele J Eliason; Natalie Ingraham; Sarah C Fogel; Jane A McElroy; Jennifer Lorvick; D Richard Mauery; Suzanne Haynes Journal: Womens Health Issues Date: 2015 Mar-Apr
Authors: S Bryn Austin; Lauren A Nelson; Michelle A Birkett; Jerel P Calzo; Bethany Everett Journal: Am J Public Health Date: 2012-12-13 Impact factor: 9.308
Authors: S Bryn Austin; Najat J Ziyadeh; Heather L Corliss; Jess Haines; Helaine R Rockett; David Wypij; Alison E Field Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2009-03-19 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Kate Keenan; Kristen Wroblewski; Phoenix A Matthews; Alison E Hipwell; Stephanie D Stepp Journal: PLoS One Date: 2018-06-18 Impact factor: 3.240
Authors: Yeen Huang; Pengsheng Li; Zhisheng Lai; Xiaofei Jia; Di Xiao; Tian Wang; Lan Guo; Ciyong Lu Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2018-11-15 Impact factor: 3.390