Do teens with gender dysphoria and eating disorders face higher mental health risks?

A recent study published in the "Journal of Adolescent Health” revealed that the co-occurrence of gender dysphoria (GD) and eating disorders (EDs) in adolescents is associated with increased risks of anxiety, depressive episodes, suicidal behavior, and self-harm relative to those without these conditions. Both GD and EDs are linked to increased mental health issues, but their interactions are not well understood. Hence, this study explored how GD and ED relate to each other and broader mental health challenges in transgender adolescents (age 9-18 years).

The study analyzed electronic health records of 57,353 pediatrics and used logistic regression models to assess the links between GD, ED, and various psychiatric assessments. Adolescents with GD had 3.72 times higher odds of also having an ED. Those with both GD and ED were less likely to have anorexia nervosa (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 0.34) but more likely to have unspecified or other specified EDs (aOR = 2.48).

They also had markedly higher odds of experiencing anxiety (aOR 24.01), depression (aOR 48.41), suicidal thoughts (aOR 26.15), and self-harm (aOR 35.79) compared to those without GD or ED. To sum up, transgender teens with EDs and body dysmorphia face severe mental health challenges, including heightened risks for anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, and self-harm. However, more analysis is needed to comprehend these complex relationships and to develop tailored interventions.