Journal article

Prevalence of Eating Disorder Symptoms in Transgender and Gender Diverse Adolescents Presenting for Gender-Affirming Care

JA Kerr, J Paine, E Thrower, M Hoq, C Mollica, SM Sawyer, PS Azzopardi, KC Pang

Journal of Adolescent Health | ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC | Published : 2024

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the prevalence of eating disorder symptoms among adolescents seeking gender-affirming care. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 660 gender-diverse adolescents who completed the Branched Eating Disorder Test to measure anorexia and bulimia symptoms. Results: 23.9% (95% CI 20.7–27.4) reported both anorexia symptoms, namely overvaluation of weight and fear of (or recurrent interference with) weight gain. 0.9% (95% CI 0.3–2.0) reported all bulimia symptoms, namely overvaluation of weight, recurrent binge eating, and recurrent compensatory behaviors (e.g., weekly purging). For all symptoms, prevalence was higher among i) adolescents assigned female at birth compared to those as..

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Grants

Awarded by Royal Children's Hospital Foundation


Funding Acknowledgements

This study was supported by the Australian National Health and Medical Research Council NHMRC (GNT2006529) , Royal Children 's Hospital Foundation, and Hugh Williamson Founda-tion Trust. Other than the generous provision of funds, the funding bodies did not play any role in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation, manuscript writing or submission. All researchers are independent from funders. Jessica Kerr and Jes-sica Paine wrote the first draft of this manuscript without any form of specific grant or personal payment.