Citation

Wright AL. J. Gay Lesbian Ment. Health 2018; 22(3): 226-242.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/19359705.2018.1429975

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Sexual-minority women (SMW) are more likely to be overweight, have a history of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and have more positive attitudes toward obesity compared to their heterosexual counterparts. In this exploratory study, the author sought to identify any associations between CSA, obesity, and attitudes toward obesity among SMW. Eighty-five SMW completed a survey assessing their weight, history of CSA, and attitudes toward obesity. An ordered logistic regression (OLS) and an analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed CSA to be negatively correlated with BMI, as well as no association between SMW's attitudes toward obesity and CSA nor BMI. Lastly, SMW did not report significantly different attitudes toward BMI based on their own BMI and history of CSA. This study provides evidence that SMW, particularly those residing within the Deep South, are at high risk for both CSA and for obesity, and highlights the importance of developing future culturally tailored weight loss programs designed specifically for SMW with histories of trauma.

Language: en

Keywords

Attitudes toward obesity; bisexual women; childhood sexual abuse; lesbians; obesity; sexual abuse; sexual-minority women