LGBTQ+ Familial Acceptance as a Moderator Between Weight-Based Victimization and Disordered Eating Behaviors Among LGBTQ+ Youth

LGBTQ+ youth experience high prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs). Family rejection and weight-based victimization (WBV) are associated with higher DEBs; family rejection is associated with lower DEBs. We have limited understanding of how these experiences intersect to impact DEBs among LGBTQ+ youth. This study utilized a national LGBTQ+ youth survey (n = 11,016) to examine associations between family and peer-based WBV and parental LGBTQ+ acceptance on DEBs. Analyses indicate a positive association between DEBs with WBV from peers and parents and negatively associated with parental LGBTQ+ acceptance. Parental acceptance moderated the impact of peer-based WBV, but not parental WBV, on some DEBs Future research should explore these intersections and moderations longitudinally. Implications for practice include promoting both LGBTQ+ and body size acceptance among families of LGBTQ+ youth.