Towards gender-affirming nutrition assessment: a case series of adult transgender men with distinct nutrition considerations

• Main Authors: Whitney Linsenmeyer, Theresa Drallmeier, Michael Thomure
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2020-07-01
• Series: Nutrition Journal
• Subjects: Transgender; Nutrition assessment; Overweight; Obesity; Diet quality; Disordered eating
• Online Access: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12937-020-00590-4

Abstract No guidelines exist regarding nutrition assessment for transgender or gender non-conforming patients. Multiple nutrition assessment methods utilize gender-specific values that provide distinct recommendations for males and females. This clinical case series depicts the food and nutrition considerations of ten adult transgender men using anthropometric, survey, and dietary recall data. Male reference values were used to analyze patient data, though multiple approaches to nutrition assessment in the transgender population are discussed. Major nutrition-related concerns were obesity, low fruit and vegetable intake and high sodium intake; disordered eating was not a prominent concern. Further research is needed to inform nutrition care for the transgender and gender non-conforming populations.