Exploring the association between eating disorders and gender dysphoria in youth

Abstract

This study reviews the overlap between eating disorders (EDs) and gender dysphoria (GD) in an adolescent population. A retrospective chart review was conducted on a clinical population presenting for concerns of GD. It was noted that five of the 97 patients had been found to be suffering from an ED at presentation. An additional 10 patients were noted to have ED-related symptoms. Although ED risk was elevated in trans males and females, absolute risk was higher in trans males when compared to population based prevalence rates. Our results suggest that rates of EDs and ED-related symptoms are high in patients presenting with GD, and that standard screening for these symptoms should be considered in both populations at assessment and over the course of treatment.