A sociological examination of disordered eating and body satisfaction among transgender and nonbinary individuals
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Abstract
Transgender, nonbinary, and other gender nonconforming communities have grown in visibility over recent years, and this visibility is associated with an increase in academic research on the health and wellbeing of these communities. Social science research has established that, compared to cisgender individuals, transgender and nonbinary people face an increased risk of mental health concerns such as disordered eating and body dissatisfaction. However, there is a dearth of research that explains
this disparity. The current study uses 20 in-depth interviews with transgender and nonbinary adults to explore the factors that produce their eating habits and attitudes towards their bodies. Findings reveals the impact of micro-level factors such as
individual health, gender dysphoria, and gender affirming care. Meso-level analysis emphasized the role of gender attribution and accountability in shaping participants’ relationship with food and their bodies, as well as social learning processes of food
and body-related norms. Macro-level themes highlighted unique ways that trans and nonbinary identity shape experiences of embodiment and beauty ideals. Overall, this research elucidates the individual, interactional, and institutional factors that may
contribute to elevated rates of disordered eating among trans and nonbinary people. Such findings indicate the complexity of these phenomena and the need for
explanations that go beyond physical gender dysphoria.