Test 2

Please select your preferred language.

請選擇你慣用的語言。

请选择你惯用的语言。

English
中文简体
台灣繁體
香港繁體

Login

Remember Me

New to Fridae?

Fridae Mobile

Advertisement
Highlights

More About Us

22 Oct 2002

gay male teens more often afflicted with eating disorders

A new study has shown that while gay teenage boys are more likely than heterosexual boys to have symptoms of eating disorders, lesbian and bisexual girls are less likely to do so.

Gay teenage boys are more likely than heterosexual boys to have symptoms of eating disorders, according to researchers presenting at the Lesbian Health Conference in Washington, DC. Lesbian teens, however, are less likely to have such symptoms when compared to heterosexual girls.

"We're really at the beginning of figuring out who these adolescents are, and why they are at increased risk of eating disorders, and other unhealthy behaviours," said Sydney Bryn Austin, MD, of Children's Hospital and Harvard University in Boston.

Findings were based on surveys completed by 10,136 girls and boys between the ages of 12 and 17, Reuters Health reported. Teens were asked about their sexual orientation and their feelings about their weight and bodies, as well as their eating habits.

Gay and bisexual boys were 15 times more likely to report binge eating than heterosexual boys, according to the article in Reuters Health. Gay and bisexual boys were twice as likely to admit that they were recently trying to lose weight when compared to heterosexual boys.

Lesbian or bisexual girls were half as likely to have dieted within the last year as heterosexuals.

Researchers now hope to figure out why lesbian and bisexual girls are less likely to have eating disorders. "If we find out, maybe we can protect heterosexual girls," said Austin.

Reader's Comments

Be the first to leave a comment on this page!

Please log in to use this feature.

Social


Select News Edition

Featured Profiles

Now ALL members can view unlimited profiles!

Languages

View this page in a different language:

Like Us on Facebook

Partners

 ILGA Asia - Fridae partner for LGBT rights in Asia IGLHRC - Fridae Partner for LGBT rights in Asia

Advertisement