White and African American lesbian and bisexual women trend overweight into adulthood

Date: Nov-14-2013New research from the American Journal of Public Health finds that compared to heterosexual women, white and African-American lesbian and bisexual women are more likely to be overweight at the age of 18 and maintain this weight through adulthood.

Researchers analyzed data from the California Health Interview Survey to compare along gender lines sexual minority status, race and ethnicity, and weight status both at age 18 and as adults, at the times of the survey. The survey captures demographic information, individual health information, weight status and age.

Results indicated that while most gay and bisexual men had a greater prevalence of healthy weight as adults, white and African-American women who are sexual minorities tend to be overweight at 18 and retain that weight in adulthood when compared to heterosexual women of the same race and ethnicity. Results also find weight status trends among other sexual minorities of varying races, including indication of greater odds of healthy weight among white gay and bisexual men and Latino and Asian gay men.

"One possible explanation for the different weight patterns seen in sexual minorities and their heterosexual peers is a difference in body image perception. Specifically, gay men have been found to have lower body satisfaction than heterosexual men, whereas lesbian and heterosexual women appear to have a similar level of body satisfaction," the study's authors suggest.

"[The study's findings] suggest a critical need for interventions targeting white and African-American lesbian and bisexual adolescents to prevent overweight status by age 18 years and interventions during adulthood to reverse these women's adverse weight trajectory," researchers conclude.

Courtesy: Medical News Today Note: Any medical information available in this news section is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional.