Transgender and gender-diverse identity in patients with eating disorders: A national cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE: This national study aimed to estimate the prevalence of the transgender and gender-diverse identity and to assess the level of gender congruence, body dissatisfaction and quality of life among patients with eating disorders in Denmark.

METHOD: Patients with eating disorders were compared to a matched non-clinical comparison group. The survey included the Eating Disorder Examination Questionnaire and assessment of body dissatisfaction, gender congruence and quality of life.

RESULTS: In total 568 patients with eating disorders and 538 individuals from the non-clinical comparison group were included. The prevalence of individuals identifying as transgender or gender-diverse was 4.50% (n = 20) among patients with eating disorders, and 6.23% (n = 23) in the non-clinical comparison group (p-value = 0.276). The transgender and gender-diverse individuals with eating disorders showed no statistically significant differences in eating disorder symptomatology compared to the cisgender individuals with eating disorders; however, they reported significantly more body dissatisfaction, less gender congruence and lower quality of life.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence of transgender and gender-diverse individuals did not differ between patients with eating disorders and the non-clinical comparison group; however, transgender and gender-diverse individuals with eating disorders may be characterised by pronounced body dissatisfaction and low quality of life.