Towards an understanding of risk factors for eating disturbance amongst gay men

Abstract

Presents results of an exploratory study into potential risk factors for eating disturbance amongst gay men. A community sample of 202 gay men, aged 14‐72, from across the UK completed a battery of measures anonymously using a postal questionnaire method. The measures included the EDI‐2, the revised NHAI, and an adapted version of the Sociocultural Attitudes towards Appearance Questionnaire. The internalisation of sociocultural norms regarding the importance of slimness and attractiveness was the most powerful predictor of maladaptive eating‐related attitudes, although self‐esteem, internalised homonegativity and satisfaction with sexual orientation were also significant factors. Younger gay men demonstrated higher levels of disturbance and the strongest relationship between body‐esteem and self‐esteem. Many participants perceived the gay scene to be highly body‐conscious but measures of gay identity development and community involvement were associated with lower levels of disturbance. Concludes that health education workers with gay men should take this issue more seriously.

Citation

Williamson, I. and Spence, K. (2001), "Towards an understanding of risk factors for eating disturbance amongst gay men", Health Education, Vol. 101 No. 5, pp. 217-227. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000005645