Disordered Eating and Gender Identity Disorder: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

The association between disordered eating and gender identity was examined in a sample of 20 (11 female-to-male, 9 male-to-female) transgender Finnish adults, aged 21-62 years. Using semi-structured interviews, participants' own understanding of the underlying causes of their disordered eating was analyzed, as well as the effect of gender reassignment on eating behaviors and cognitions. A majority of the participants reported current or past disordered eating. Participants most frequently described strive for thinness as an attempt to suppress features of one's biological gender, or accentuate features of one's desired gender. Gender reassignment was primarily perceived as alleviating symptoms of disordered eating.

Body image in transgender young people: Findings from a qualitative, community based study

“…In several studies, participants described feelings of hatred or dissociation from particular aspects of their body such as breasts, hips, body fat, genitals, shoulder width, and body hair distribution (Ålgars et al, 2010;Bozkurt et al, 2006;Pfeffer, 2008). Both transmen and transwomen have reported trying to lose weight in order to suppress the development or continuation of secondary sexual characteristics (Ålgars, Alanko, Santtila, & Sandnabba, 2012;Vocks et al, 2009). Also, perfectionism, defined as "excessive personal expectations for personal achievement," was found to be highest among transgender persons compared to cisgender males or females (Khoosal et al, 2009, p. 220).…”

Body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in trans people: A systematic review of the literature

“…So far, the literature appears to suggest that body dissatisfaction plays a key role in the development of disordered eating (Ålgars et al, 2012;Khoosal et al, 2009;Silverstein et al, 1990). Within this review, five papers were identified which explored disordered eating as well as body image in trans people (see Table 2).…”

“…Out of the 26 papers which met the criteria for inclusion in this review, 18 explored the prevalence of body image in a trans population Becker et al, 2015;Bozkurt et al, 2006;Colizzi et al, 2015;De Vries et al, 2011Fisher et al, 2013Fisher et al, , 2014Fleming, MacGowan, Robinson, Spitz, & Salt, 1982;Kozee, Tylka, & Bauerband, 2012;Kraemer, Delsignore, Schnyder, & Hepp, 2007;Lai, Chiu, Gadow, Gau, & Hwu, 2010;Lindgren & Pauly, 1975;Marone, Lacoella, Cecchini & Ravenna, 1998;Pauly & Lindgren, 1976;Smith, Van Goozen, Kuiper, & Cohen-Kettenis, 2005;Steensma, McGuire, Kreukels, Beekman, & Cohen-Kettenis, 2013;Wolfradt & Neumann, 2001). Three studies explored disordered eating in trans individuals (Ålgars et al, 2012;Khoosal, Langham, Palmer, Terry, & Minajagi, 2009;Silverstein, Carpman, Perlick, & Perdue, 1990). Five papers related to both disordered eating and body image and explored the prevalence of these constructs (Ålgars et al, 2010;Cella, Iannaccone, & Cotrufo, 2013;Witcomb et al, 2015;Vocks, Stahn, Loenser, & Legenbauer, 2009;Wiseman & Moradi, 2010).…”

“…• Eating Disorder Inventory version 1, 2 and 3 (EDI-1-2-3) (Garner, Olmstead, & Polivy, 1983;Garner, 1991;Garner, 2004): This was the most frequently used measure, which was used four times by studies considered within this review (Ålgars et al, 2012;Cella et al, 2013;Khoosal et al, 2009;Witcomb et al, 2015). This measure was developed for an eating disorder population and explores symptoms and psychological characteristics commonly related to eating disorders.…”

“…Within the trans literature, Ålgars, Alanko, Santtila, and Sandnabba (2012) discuss the role of eating restriction in trans women as a way to strive for thinness in order to suppress features of their birth sex or to accentuate features of their desired gender. In addition, trans women may internalise the message portrayed by the western media that thin is beautiful .…”