Zachary A Soulliard1, Stephanie Cox2, Cassie Brode2, Lisa Platt3, Lawrence E Tabone4, Nova Szoka4. 1. Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia. Electronic address: zachary.soulliard@yale.edu. 2. Department of Behavioral Medicine and Psychiatry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia. 3. Department of Counseling Psychology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia. 4. Department of Surgery, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, West Virginia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Disparities in obesity care and bariatric surgery persist among patients of diverse identities. However, little is known about sexual minority (SM) bariatric patients. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe, in a preliminary fashion, sexual orientation variables of outness, self-esteem, and perceived discrimination among a sample of SM patients pursuing bariatric surgery. The study also sought to compare SM and heterosexual bariatric candidates on measures of eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression. SETTING: Academic medical center in the United States. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a standard psychological evaluation for surgical clearance between May 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Data included demographic characteristics, sexual orientation variables, eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression. Descriptive statistics were included to present findings among SM patients. One-way analyses of covariance were conducted to assess differences between SM and heterosexual patients. RESULTS: A total of 633 patients were evaluated (38 SM and 595 heterosexual). SM patients had high outness scores with high self-esteem and minimal perceived discrimination. SM patients endorsed lower cognitive restraint, higher disinhibition, and increased hunger compared with heterosexual patients (P < .05). SM patients also reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with heterosexual patients (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide preliminary evidence toward the importance of assessing for sexual orientation among bariatric patients. Future research is warranted to assess the unique role of sexual orientation, as well as explore causal links between sexual orientation, eating behaviors, and mental health among bariatric patients pre- and post surgery.
BACKGROUND: Disparities in obesity care and bariatric surgery persist among patients of diverse identities. However, little is known about sexual minority (SM) bariatric patients. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to describe, in a preliminary fashion, sexual orientation variables of outness, self-esteem, and perceived discrimination among a sample of SM patients pursuing bariatric surgery. The study also sought to compare SM and heterosexual bariatric candidates on measures of eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression. SETTING: Academic medical center in the United States. METHODS: Data were collected as part of a standard psychological evaluation for surgical clearance between May 1, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Data included demographic characteristics, sexual orientation variables, eating behaviors, anxiety, and depression. Descriptive statistics were included to present findings among SM patients. One-way analyses of covariance were conducted to assess differences between SM and heterosexual patients. RESULTS: A total of 633 patients were evaluated (38 SM and 595 heterosexual). SM patients had high outness scores with high self-esteem and minimal perceived discrimination. SM patients endorsed lower cognitive restraint, higher disinhibition, and increased hunger compared with heterosexual patients (P < .05). SM patients also reported significantly more symptoms of anxiety and depression compared with heterosexual patients (P < .05). CONCLUSIONS: Findings provide preliminary evidence toward the importance of assessing for sexual orientation among bariatric patients. Future research is warranted to assess the unique role of sexual orientation, as well as explore causal links between sexual orientation, eating behaviors, and mental health among bariatric patients pre- and post surgery.
Authors: Adil Haider; Rachel R Adler; Eric Schneider; Tarsicio Uribe Leitz; Anju Ranjit; Christina Ta; Adele Levine; Omar Harfouch; Danielle Pelaez; Lisa Kodadek; Laura Vail; Claire Snyder; Danielle German; Susan Peterson; Jeremiah D Schuur; Brandyn D Lau Journal: JAMA Netw Open Date: 2018-12-07