J Semlyen1, T J Curtis2, J Varney3. 1. Norwich Medical School, University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park, Norwich, UK. 2. Centre for Population Research in Sexual Health and HIV, Institute for Global Health, University College London, London, UK. 3. Public Health England, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are more likely than heterosexual adults to experience worse health outcomes. Despite increasing public health interest in the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight, no study has considered sexual orientation identity (SOI) and unhealthy BMI categories among adults in the UK population. METHODS: Individual participant data meta-analysis using pooled data from population health surveys reporting on 93 429 adults with data on SOI, BMI and study covariates. RESULTS: Adjusting for covariates and allowing for between-study variation, women identifying as lesbian (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.72) or bisexual (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.48) were at increased risk of overweight/obesity compared to heterosexual women, but men identifying as gay were at decreased risk (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.85) compared to heterosexual men. Increased risk of being underweight was seen for women identifying as 'other' (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.56), and men identifying as gay (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.83, 5.38), bisexual (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.52), 'other' (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.85, 8.42). CONCLUSIONS: The emerging picture of health disparities in this population, along with well documented discrimination, indicate that sexual orientation should be considered as a social determinant of health.
BACKGROUND: Lesbian, gay and bisexual adults are more likely than heterosexual adults to experience worse health outcomes. Despite increasing public health interest in the importance of maintaining a healthy body weight, no study has considered sexual orientation identity (SOI) and unhealthy BMI categories among adults in the UK population. METHODS: Individual participant data meta-analysis using pooled data from population health surveys reporting on 93 429 adults with data on SOI, BMI and study covariates. RESULTS: Adjusting for covariates and allowing for between-study variation, women identifying as lesbian (OR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.72) or bisexual (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03, 1.48) were at increased risk of overweight/obesity compared to heterosexual women, but men identifying as gay were at decreased risk (OR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.61, 0.85) compared to heterosexual men. Increased risk of being underweight was seen for women identifying as 'other' (OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.07, 3.56), and men identifying as gay (OR = 3.12, 95% CI: 1.83, 5.38), bisexual (OR = 2.30, 95% CI: 1.17, 4.52), 'other' (OR = 3.95, 95% CI: 1.85, 8.42). CONCLUSIONS: The emerging picture of health disparities in this population, along with well documented discrimination, indicate that sexual orientation should be considered as a social determinant of health.
Authors: Rebecca M Puhl; Mary S Himmelstein; Rebecca L Pearl; Alexis C Wojtanowski; Gary D Foster Journal: Obesity (Silver Spring) Date: 2019-11 Impact factor: 5.002
Authors: Jack M Birch; Rebecca A Jones; Julia Mueller; Matthew D McDonald; Rebecca Richards; Michael P Kelly; Simon J Griffin; Amy L Ahern Journal: Obes Rev Date: 2022-03-03 Impact factor: 10.867