Treating eating disorders in the LGBTQIA+ adult population: A scoping review

Introduction: The lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, intersex, and asexual/aromantic/agender (LGBTQIA+) community faces a significantly higher risk of eating disorders (EDs). This review’s primary objective is to explore ED treatments for this population. Methods: We searched PubMed/MEDLINE and PsycINFO using the keywords “ED,” “LGBTQIA+,” and “therapy,” following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Extension for Scoping Reviews 2018 Checklist. Results: Out of 363 publications, we identified 14 articles and inductively categorized them into two key macro-themes. The primary macro-theme “conventional treatments applied to the LGBTQIA+ population” encompassed both treatment outcomes, which demonstrated overall effectiveness, and self-reported treatment evaluations, which consistently indicated negative experiences. The secondary macro-theme, “specific treatments for the LGBTQIA+ population,” centered on population-targeted treatments, which, while currently limited, displayed promising results, including improvements in ED psychopathology through gender transition. Conclusions: The existing literature indicates that conventional treatments are effective in symptom relief but occur within a context marked by perceived discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation. Concurrently, population-specific interventions hold promise in reducing ED symptoms, with gender transition emerging as a valuable treatment. Further research is needed to develop tailored treatments and address the challenges faced by the LGBTQIA+ community.