Weight‐based victimization among sexual and gender minority adolescents: Findings from a diverse national sample

Abstract

Children and adolescents with overweight and obesity are vulnerable to weight-based victimization. Research on weight-based victimization and sexual identity have been largely isolated from one another; little is known about the nature of weight-based victimization in sexual and gender minority (SGM: e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) youth. Our study is the first to examine the nature, extent, and sources of weight-based victimization in a large sample of SGM adolescents. This study utilized data from the 2017 LGBTQ National Teen Survey, a comprehensive online survey assessing victimization, school experiences, health behaviors, and sexuality-specific experiences of SGM adolescents across the United States. The sample was comprised of 9,838 SGM adolescents ( M age =15.6 years). Across diverse sexual orientation and gender identity groups, 44%−70% of adolescents reported weight-based teasing from family members, and 42%−57% reported weight-based teasing from peers. Approximately one-third of adolescents reported these experiences from both family and peers. Weight-based victimization was prevalent across body weight categories, particularly at highest (obesity) and lowest (underweight) extremes. Moreover, weight-based victimization was prevalent across adolescents who endorsed established sexual identity labels (e.g., gay, lesbian, bisexual) and emerging labels (e.g., pansexual, asexual). Weight-based victimization, from family members and peers, is prevalent in SGM adolescents, across diverse body sizes and sexual and gender identities. Pediatric providers should be aware that SGM youth may be vulnerable to weight-based victimization, across diverse body sizes.