Is it of concern? Is there a difference? Isn't sexual education the only issue?
First off, Happy Pride Month everyone!
LGBTQ2+
Lesbian. Gay. Bi-Sexual. Transgender. Queer. Two-Spirited. +
7-11% of Canadians, and 4.5% of Americans identify as LGBTQ2+. Those of the LGBTQ2+ community face many unique health disparities.
Sexual Transmitted Diseases
For the LGBTQ2+ community, we focused most of the health issues and interventions on sexually transmitted diseases. ESPECIALLY, HIV & AIDS. But there are more health disparities, very specific to certain groups within the LGBTQ2+ community which are often shied over.
Lesbians & Bisexual Females
Lesbians and bisexual females are more likely to be overweight or obese. This can contribute towards an increased risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, and other adverse health effects.
Gay & Bisexual Males
Gay and bisexual males. Higher rate or eating disorders, body dysmorphia, and overall body dissatisfaction.
Transgender Peoples
Those who are undergoing hormone therapy are at a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease and decreased bone density. They may also gain abdominal weight and have impaired glucose metabolism because of this form of therapy.
What else can impact the LGBTQ2+ communities nutrition?
The LGBTQ2+ community has the highest rates of substance abuse for tobacco, alcohol, and other recreational drugs.
What to focus on?
These are recurrent themes that the LGTBQ2+ community would like to be focused on.These are just a few to name...
OVERALL, "INCLUSIVENESS"
What to do?
To my healthcare professionals' and even "regular" day people swiping away.
For the LGBTQ2+ community, "coming out" is not a onetime thing. It happens every time they have a new encounter, and it is very important to acknowledge your biases and privileges to better serve this community, AS WITH ANY OTHER COMMUNITY!
Educate yourself, listen to the crowd, learn more, and apply what you are being taught. Overall, a healthier community is what we should all aim for.
Sources:
C. Wellington, H. Bilyk, Gender Identity: A Culture with Unique Nutrition Concerns,
Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Volume 112, Issue 9, Supplement, 2012, Page A21, ISSN 2212-2672, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jand.2012.06.069. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212267212008647)
Feldman, M. B., Torino, J. A., & Swift, M. (2011). A group intervention to improve body image satisfaction and dietary habits in gay and bisexual men living with HIV/AIDS. Eating disorders, 19(5), 377–391. https://doi.org/10.1080/10640266.2011.609084
Kirby, S. R., & Linde, J. A. (2020). Understanding the Nutritional Needs of Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Students at a Large Public Midwestern University. Transgender health, 5(1), 33–41. https://doi.org/10.1089/trgh.2019.0071
Safer, J. D., Coleman, E., Feldman, J., Garofalo, R., Hembree, W., Radix, A., & Sevelius, J. (2016). Barriers to healthcare for transgender individuals. Current opinion in endocrinology, diabetes, and obesity, 23(2), 168–171. https://doi.org/10.1097/MED.0000000000000227