Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, are serious mental illnesses characterized by preoccupations with eating, weight, and shape. Many people exhibit disordered eating behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, restriction, laxative use, binge eating, and dietary restraint, without meeting full clinical criteria. Binge eating involves consuming large amounts of food while feeling out of control, and dietary restraint involves intentional caloric restriction to manage weight. Both of these behaviors are often driven by a binge-restrict cycle. Perceived discrimination, based on characteristics such as race or weight, is linked to negative health outcomes, including disordered eating. The relationship between binge eating and discrimination is verified, but less is known about dietary restraint and perceived discrimination. Social support, including emotional, physical, and tangible resources, may serve as a protective factor against the negative impacts of perceived discrimination on mental health. This study explores the moderating role of social support in the relationship between perceived discrimination and disordered eating behaviors (binge eating and dietary restraint) among ethnic minority American women. The Stress Process Model suggests social resources can mediate stress effects on health outcomes. Participants, self-identified as ethnic minority women aged 18 or over, completed questionnaires on life experiences and health behaviors. The findings aim to explain how social support can mitigate the negative impacts of perceived discrimination on disordered eating symptoms.

Introduction Sexual minority (SM) stress theory is a well-established model of negative psychological outcomes in SM populations. Recent research has examined associations between internalized heterosexism, a central facet of SM stress, and eating and body image disturbances; however, research is limited and focuses on Western populations (e.g., US). Non-Western cultural contexts, such as China, may impose significantly greater SM stress experiences on SM populations than those in the West. Methods A cross-sectional study sampled SM men from China (N=233; Mage=21.76) and the United States (N=271; Mage=35.04). Participants completed an online survey including demographics and measures of internalized heterosexism, disordered eating, body dissatisfaction, and psychological distress. Measures were translated and validated in Chinese and US contexts. Independent t-tests examined mean differences in study variables by cultural context. Multiple linear regressions examined the associations of internalized heterosexism with body dissatisfaction, disordered eating, and psychological distress. Results Chinese SM men reported higher levels on all study variables than their US counterparts; thus, regressions were separated by cultural context. With multiple linear regressions, internalized heterosexism described unique variance in body dissatisfaction and psychological distress (but not disordered eating) in Chinese (b=.16, p=.01, b=.39, p<.001) and US (b=.16, p=.04, b=.42, p<.001) SM men. Discussion While internalized heterosexism was uniquely and positively associated with body dissatisfaction and psychological distress, it was more closely linked to psychological distress across both cultural contexts. Evidence supports meaningful relationships between internalized heterosexism and negative psychological outcomes in Eastern and Western cultural contexts.

Weight-based nicknames are common, especially in Latine communities. The objective of this study is to see how one weight-based nickname (“Gordito/a”)--which refers to heavy-set individuals and is often used by family members–can impact the Body Image of individuals in Latine communities. This study has two aims: (1) To determine if being called a weight-based nickname can cause a decrease in body image and (2) To explore which body types are more likely to be called these weight-based nicknames. Participants will be adults who identify as Hispanic/Latine, have Spanish as a language used within their family, and be able to read Spanish. Participants will be randomly assigned to view pictures of their mother with speech bubbles of script written in Spanish that include multiple sets of dialogue. The threat group will have dialogue saying a heavy-set, weight-based nickname directed to them, and the control group will have the same dialogue, excluding the nickname. The dependent variable will be measured using the Body-Esteem Scale. Hypothesis 1 predicts individuals who are called a heavy-set, weight-based nickname will report significantly poorer body-esteem. Hypothesis 2 predicts images displaying a body type with fat composition focused in their abdominal region will be called a heavy-set, weight-based nickname significantly more often than images displaying a body type with fat composition focused on other parts of the body. This research adopts a vital intersectional lens into weight stigmatization, broadening this research to diverse backgrounds with different cultural norms. Data collection will commence in Summer 2024.

Eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors generally peak during adolescence. However, transgender and non-binary (TNB) adolescents face unique challenges related to body image and disordered eating due to gender dysphoria as well as broader factors like discrimination and alienation. The physical and psychological changes of puberty further exacerbate these issues. This literature review examines the relationship between puberty, body image, and disordered eating among TNB adolescents. Despite growing awareness of the challenges faced by adult sexual and gender minorities as well as eating disorders in adolescence, gaps persist in the impact of the timing of puberty and how puberty affects TNB adolescents. This review synthesizes existing research on gender minorities, eating disorders, body image concerns, puberty, and adolescence. It confirms that puberty intensifies feelings of dysphoria and body dissatisfaction in TNB adolescents, but this is expressed differently in individuals with different gender identities, social environments, and stages of understanding and expressing their gender identity. Gender-affirming treatments improve body dissatisfaction and self-esteem and consequently mitigate alternative mental health concerns. Social support and connectedness are linked to lower odds of disordered eating, and positive “coming out” experiences are linked to improved mental health, implying that counseling and education for parents with TNB adolescents or family based paradigms should be normalized. With that said, it is beneficial for adolescents to receive gender-affirming treatment before general mental health treatment, if applicable, and education regarding different types of gender identities earlier on.