1 - (SYM 145) Examining Weight Stigma and Disordered Eating Among Sexual Minority Individuals

Both weight stigma and internalized weight bias can lead to lower self-esteem, depression, use of negative coping strategies, and unhealthy weight control behaviors. Sexual and gender minority individuals experience not only discrimination based on their LGBTQ+ identity but are also at higher risk for weight stigma and internalized weight bias compared to their heterosexual peers. Furthermore, sexual minority adults have significantly higher rates of all eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder. Despite being at higher risk for both stigma and disordered eating, sexual and gender minority individuals have thus far been understudied in both fields. In this study, we sought to investigate how internalized weight bias and experiences of weight stigma relate to disordered eating behaviors among sexual minority folx. Participants (N = 400) were recruited from the online survey platform Prolific, and consisted of larger bodied, sexual minority individuals. While data collection is currently ongoing, a linear regression was run using pilot data for this project (n = 58), which revealed that experiences of weight stigma related to overall disordered eating symptoms (β = .35, p = .001) among sexual minority individuals. For our final analyses, we will be examining whether experiences of weight stigma and internalized weight bias relate to overall disordered eating, as well as body dissatisfaction and muscle building behaviors. We will be presenting the results of our full sample at the conference. By understanding how eating disorder symptoms are shaped by weight stigma and internalized weight bias among LGBTQ+ individuals, we can identify areas of targeted intervention for disordered eating within this underserved community.