Weight and BMI
By Joanna Sickler

Studies have repeatedly shown that lesbians tend to have higher body mass (BMI) index than heterosexual women. More research is needed to delve into the cultural and lifestyle issues that may be contributing to this difference including the rejection of heterosexual norms.

Talking Points:

lesbians eat fewer fruits and vegetables than heterosexual women.¹
Studies have indicated that lesbians tend to have a higher body mass index (BMI) than heterosexual women. A greater proportion of lifetime lesbians have a BMI of more than 27 (52.3% of lifetime lesbians compared to 45.8% of heterosexual women).²
Higher BMI increases a women’s risk for cancer and cardiovascular disease.³ Hence, lesbians may be at higher risk for these health problems.
Further research is needed to give health providers better information on nutrition, diet, and physical activity among lesbians in order to design methods of counteracting the problem.^2,⁴

1 Brand, P.A., Rothblum, E.D., & Solomon, L.J. (1992). A comparison of lesbians, gay men, and heterosexuals on weight and restrained eating. International Journal of Eating Disorders, 11, 253-259.

2 Solarz, A. (ed). (1999). Lesbian health: current assessment and directions for the future. Committee on lesbian health research priorities, the Institute of Medicine. Washington, DC: National Academy Press, p57.

3 Moran, N. (1996). Lesbian Health care needs. Canadian Family Physician, 42, 879-884.

4 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (November 2000). Healthy People 2010: Understanding and Improving Health. 2nd ed. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, p.242.

Weight and BMI By Joanna Sickler

Weight and BMI
By Joanna Sickler