Eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Plain English SummaryResearch has found that transgender individuals are more likely to be diagnosed with an eating disorder or to engage in disordered eating than cisgender individuals. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the literature on eating disorders and eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals and to summarize the existing literature on gender-affirming treatment and the prevalence of eating disorder symptomatology. The literature search for this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in online databases. Quantitative data from studies on transgender individuals and eating disorders assessed with relevant assessment tools was included. The results revealed higher levels of eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals compared with cisgender individuals, especially cisgender men. Gender-affirming treatment seems to alleviate the presence of eating disorder symptomatology in transgender individuals. The body of research on this subject is extremely limited, and transgender individuals are underrepresented in the eating disorder literature. ObjectiveThe purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to synthesize the literature on eating disorders and eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals and to summarize the existing literature on gender-affirming treatment and the prevalence of eating disorder symptomatology.MethodThe literature search for this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed in PubMed, Embase.com, and Ovid APA PsycInfo. We searched for eating disorders and transgender using both controlled vocabularies and natural language terms for their synonyms. The PRISMA statement guidelines were followed. Quantitative data from studies on transgender individuals and eating disorders assessed with relevant assessment tools was included.ResultsTwenty-four studies were included for the qualitative synthesis, and 14 studies were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed higher levels of eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals compared with cisgender individuals, especially cisgender men. Transgender men tend to display higher levels of eating disorder symptomatology than transgender women; however, transgender women seem to have higher levels of eating disorder symptomatology than cisgender men and, interestingly, this study also noted a trend toward transgender men having higher levels of eating disorders than cisgender women. Gender-affirming treatment seems to alleviate the presence of eating disorder symptomatology in transgender individuals.DiscussionThe body of research on this subject is extremely limited, and transgender individuals are underrepresented in the eating disorder literature. More research investigating eating disorders and eating disorder symptomatology in transgender individuals and the relationship between gender-affirming treatment and eating disorder symptomatology is needed.

Automated summary

Research found that transgender individuals are more likely to have an eating disorder or engage in disordered eating than cisgender individuals. The purpose of this review was to synthesize the literature on eating disorders and symptomatology among transgender individuals, as well as summarize the existing literature on gender-affirming treatment and prevalence. The results revealed higher levels of eating disorder symptomatology among transgender individuals, especially cisgender men, and gender-affirming treatment seems to alleviate these symptoms.