Family Weight Teasing, LGBTQ Attitudes, and Well-being Among LGBTQ Adolescents

This study explored weight-based victimization by family members, accepting lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) attitudes, and family connectedness, and how these experiences are associated with health, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms among LGBTQ adolescents. Data came from the LGBTQ National Teen Survey (N = 9261, mean age = 15.6 years). The 3 key variables were significantly associated with poorer self-rated health, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms. For example, weight-based victimization was associated with approximately 2 more points on the depressive symptoms scale (beta = 1.81, P < .001), adjusting for covariates. Findings highlight the negative impact of weight-based victimization among LGBTQ youth, even in the context of other types of family support.