Predictors of disordered eating patterns among self-identified gay and bisexual men in Lebanon.

Abstract

As an oppressed population, lesbian, gay, and bisexual individuals have shown to be significantly more likely to experience an increased risk for mental disorders. Disordered eating patterns in specific have shown to be greatly prevalent among gay and bisexual men in comparison to heterosexual men, and this finding has shown to be consistent in the literature. In contrast, findings regarding the prevalence of disordered eating patterns among lesbian and bisexual women have shown to be mixed suggesting that sexual orientation acts as a greater risk factor for disordered eating among men than women. Mounting literature in the West has examined the factors that contribute to and those that protect against the development of disordered eating patterns among gay and bisexual men. With no literature exploring disordered eating patterns among sexual minority men in Lebanon and the Middle East as a whole, this study aimed at examining and understanding the predictors of disordered eating patterns among Lebanese self-identified gay and bisexual men. With the exception of positive minority identity, shame-proneness, and guilt-proneness, we selected predictors that have been theoretically linked to disordered eating patterns among gay and bisexual men in the literature. These variables included self-objectification, body dissatisfaction, and a sense of connectedness to the LGB community. One hundred forty-seven self-identified gay and bisexual Lebanese male adults were surveyed for the present study. A hierarchical multiple regression analysis controlling for age, sexual orientation, education, socioeconomic status, and religious affiliation identified self-objectification and shame-proneness as significant predictors of disordered eating patterns. The findings emphasize the clinical implications of targeting these factors when tackling and providing interventions that address disordered eating symptomatology among the gay and bisexual male population in Lebanon.