Table 1 Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating Behavior Risk Factors in Lesbian Adults and Adolescents
From: Eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors in the LGBT population: a review of the literature
Risk Factors | Eating Disorders | Disordered Eating Behaviors | |
|---|---|---|---|
Adults | Adults | Adolescents | |
Sexual Orientation | Less time out about sexual orientation Less connection to the LGB community Low sexual identity development Perceived stigma | Discrimination Concealment of sexual orientation Less involvement in the LGB community Internalized homophobia Internalized homonegativity Heterosexist experiences Proximal minority stress Lower sense of belonging to the lesbian community, organizations, and friends Stigma consciousness | Achieving sexual minority developmental milestones at a younger age |
Relationship Dynamic | Low social support Unmet need to belong | Greater pressure from female partners Pressure from family Greater pressure from LGB friends Less social support from family Less social support from friends Less enjoyment of sexualization Isolation | Â |
Body Image | Body preoccupation Greater importance of fitness Importance of being attractive Body image dissatisfaction Higher BMI | Actual to ideal weight discrepancy Internalized sociocultural standards of beauty Media pressure to be thin Thin ideal internalization Weight discrimination Internalized cultural attitudes concerning thinness Body esteem concerning weight Physical condition Sexual attractiveness Sexual objectification Self-objectification Body surveillance Negative eating attitudes Higher perceived weight status Body image dissatisfaction Higher BMI | Body image dissatisfaction Higher BMI |
Intrapsychic Functioning | Low self-esteem | Low self-esteem Negative affect Reduced self-awareness Shame Internalization of sociocultural standards Interoceptive awareness Emotional control Self-blame Catastrophizing Media internalization | Â |
Demographic | Hispanic/Latina or black ethnicity | Caucasian ethnicity Older age | Â |
Mental Health | Depression Anxiety Negative affect | Social anxiety Depression Anxiety Eating as negative affect regulation | Depression Anxiety Excessive alcohol use |
Gender Attitude |  | Negative femininity Low endorsement of women’s movement Less work for women’s status Acceptance of traditional gender roles Realization of sexism Body-gender identity incongruence Lower masculinity Non-identification as a feminist |  |