A survey found that half of LGBTQ youth are struggling with eating disorders
According to research from the National Eating Disorder Association
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HEALTH Mental health
Body image issues and eating disorders don't discriminate based on gender, race, or sexuality. While it has longtime been regarded as purely a female problem, a groundbreaking survey from the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) and The Trevor Project showed that men and woman are both at risk—especially within the LGBTQ community.
According to the website, the survey was meant to analyze "the relationships between sexual orientation, gender identity, eating disorders and suicidal ideation." This was the first comprehensive survey to focus on these issues. Researchers proved that more than 50% of the LGBTQ young people in question had been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Additionally, transgender young people were at a disproportionate risk.
The survey reached over 1,000 LGBTQ youths in the U.S. between the ages of 13 and 24 years old.
The researchers behind the survey hoped that their findings would, “mend the gap in research about eating disorders and mental health in the LGBTQ+ community and provide critical information on the needs of LGBTQ+ youth that can be provided to health care providers, caretakers, and educators,” according to the website.
The survey aims to be the first in a long line of future research designed to shed light on issues that are often disregarded in the LGBTQ community.