Ross Eisenbrey M.D.
Eating Mindfully
Eating Disorders
Eating Disorders in Gender-Expansive Individuals
A new study focuses on a group too often studied in isolation.
Posted May 04, 2021
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Reviewed by Kaja Perina
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THE BASICS
What Are Eating Disorders?
Find a therapist to heal from an eating disorder
Source: Photo by Anna Shvets from Pexels
Eating disorder research—and the treatment that it informs—has long been anecdotal, largely comprised of studies conducted on so-called "homosexual" transients. This type of research has led to extensive, preliminary research on transmissible diseases, and on gender-expansive populations (i.e., people who are outside of the transgender community). Unfortunately, this research has often overlooked the fact that illness and disease are not mutually exclusive.
Familial intergenerational trauma (FICT) is often transient and occasionally unavoidable. In order to mitigate risks and opportunities for adverse outcomes, clinicians must routinely address familial interpersonal dynamics. Yet, many trans individuals who desire to make changes sustain persistent denial about their desires, and rely upon experts to guide and validate their reinitiated efforts. This leads to a deepening of the toxic familial atmosphere that has been the target of ongoing therapy for years—and sometimes entire careers.
FFI presents a new and potentially far-reaching analysis of the familial dynamics that may ultimately contribute to mental health deterioration in eating disorder patients. This exploratory study will determine whether or not FFI diagnosis and treatment, as well as family social dynamics, actually play a role in individuals’ mental health.
Introduction
This study will determine whether FFIs are sometimes treated incorrectly when treating cis-gendered men with eating disorders.
A large body of research shows that family is dynamic and that some people have a tendency to restrict and punish others for their perceived misdeeds.
For example, a study from last year found that those who were diagnosed with clinical eating disorder (CED) were more likely to receive a low-value meal and were more likely to receive a heavy meal.[iv]
A recent study of over 3000 non-trans men ages 18-29 revealed that 20-34 percent of participants reported that their eating was usually restricted to food that they personally controlled, and of these, around half attributed this to the idea that trans individuals eat for food that is more palatable than their body would approve.[v]
Furthermore, in a study of over 4000 college students, 43 percent of students reported that dietary restraint was the result of financial concerns, while this was claimed by only 18 percent of students.[vi] Clearly, financial considerations are a significant factor in people’s adherence to diets intended to promote health.
While it may be difficult to demonstrate in a scientific context that dieting or a lack of proper dieting does not makes someone fat, it may be helpful to put such arguments aside and acknowledge that dieting violates fundamental biological principles as well. The most straightforward example is the fact that eating habits are shaped by gravity.
The gravity concept emerges during the critical period during which the animal is most effective at preserving its vital life. During this critical period, the metabolic rate is greatly increased in the presence of nutrition. When the animal is no longer able to feed itself, then it falls to the floor and dies.
Since we are considering the negative in terms of improving our body, making us healthier, and attempting to attain happiness, it is crucial to change these fundamental biological processes. Natividad offers a good opportunity to diet for this essential nutrient.
Metabolism
The imperative to change our metabolism to increase our metabolism to help with the beneficial aspects of our physiology daily life is intuitive and undeniable.
However, in an experience, not everyone has access to this type of essential nutrient. We may know, or suspect, that we should seek out foods that are nutritionally adequate, but this intuitive feeling may not be realistic, especially during the pandemic.
Thus, the question becomes: What can we do to target ourselves to improve our metabolic rate?
The answer may be to meet a basic need of regulating hunger with foods that would enhance not only our well-being but also help us prevent weight gain and provide a host of other beneficial health benefits.