Emily Panza1,2,3, Kara B Fehling1, David W Pantalone4,5, Samira Dodson1,6, Edward A Selby1. 1. Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ. 2. Weight Control and Diabetes Research Center, The Miriam Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island. 3. Warren Alpert School of Medicine, Brown University. 4. University of Massachusetts Boston, Boston, MA. 5. The Fenway Institute, Fenway Health, Boston, MA. 6. Binghamton University, Binghamton, NY.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether baseline levels of distal and proximal minority stressors related to sexual orientation, gender, and weight were associated with prospective risk for dysregulated eating in daily life among sexual minority women with overweight/obesity. METHODS: Fifty-five sexual minority women ages 18-60 (M = 25 ± 9) with BMI > 25kg/m2 (M = 32 ± 5) completed baseline assessments of distal and proximal minority stressors due to sexual orientation, gender, and weight. Participants then completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) protocol. For five days, participants responded to five random prompts assessing engagement in dysregulated eating (i.e., overeating, binge eating). The cumulative number of EMA-measured overeating and binge eating episodes was summed per participant. RESULTS: Several minority stressors related to sexual orientation, gender, and weight were associated with prospective risk for dysregulated eating behaviors during EMA. Women with higher (vs. lower) baseline levels of internalized homophobia reported more cumulative episodes of binge eating during the EMA period. Women reporting greater (vs. less) baseline sexual orientation concealment reported more episodes of overeating during the EMA period. Women with greater (vs. less) baseline weight bias experiences and internalization reported more overeating and binge eating episodes during the EMA period. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this pilot study identify internalized homophobia, sexual orientation concealment, and experienced and internalized weight bias as potential risk factors for dysregulated eating behaviors among sexual minority women of higher body weight.
OBJECTIVE: This study assessed whether baseline levels of distal and proximal minority stressors related to sexual orientation, gender, and weight were associated with prospective risk for dysregulated eating in daily life among sexual minority women with overweight/obesity. METHODS: Fifty-five sexual minority women ages 18-60 (M = 25 ± 9) with BMI > 25kg/m2 (M = 32 ± 5) completed baseline assessments of distal and proximal minority stressors due to sexual orientation, gender, and weight. Participants then completed an Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) protocol. For five days, participants responded to five random prompts assessing engagement in dysregulated eating (i.e., overeating, binge eating). The cumulative number of EMA-measured overeating and binge eating episodes was summed per participant. RESULTS: Several minority stressors related to sexual orientation, gender, and weight were associated with prospective risk for dysregulated eating behaviors during EMA. Women with higher (vs. lower) baseline levels of internalized homophobia reported more cumulative episodes of binge eating during the EMA period. Women reporting greater (vs. less) baseline sexual orientation concealment reported more episodes of overeating during the EMA period. Women with greater (vs. less) baseline weight bias experiences and internalization reported more overeating and binge eating episodes during the EMA period. CONCLUSIONS: Findings from this pilot study identify internalized homophobia, sexual orientation concealment, and experienced and internalized weight bias as potential risk factors for dysregulated eating behaviors among sexual minority women of higher body weight.
Entities:
Keywords:
LGBT health; eating behaviors; minority stress; obesity; sexual minority women
Authors: Kelly C Berg; Carol B Peterson; Ross D Crosby; Li Cao; Scott J Crow; Scott G Engel; Stephen A Wonderlich Journal: Psychiatry Res Date: 2013-11-05 Impact factor: 3.222
Authors: Sabra L Katz-Wise; Emily A Scherer; Jerel P Calzo; Vishnudas Sarda; Benita Jackson; Jess Haines; S Bryn Austin Journal: Ann Behav Med Date: 2015-12
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: 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: Dominique R Williams; Eileen Chaves; Nicole E Greenwood; Jennifer Kushner; Gayathri Chelvakumar; Shanna E Swaringen; Scott F Leibowitz Journal: Curr Obes Rep Date: 2022-09-02