The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60683

Molly B. Kerby, MPH¹, Jacquie Fraser, PhD², Lisa L. Lindley, DrPH³, Thomas Nicholson, PhD¹, and Ning Lu, PhD, MPH⁴. (1) Public Health, Western Kentucky University, Western Kentucky University, One Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576, (2) Department of Health Science, Armstrong Atlantic State University, 11935 Abercorn Street, Savannah, GA 31419-1997, 912-921-7315, fraserja@mail.armstrong.edu, (3) Assistant Professor, Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101, (4) Department of Public Health, Western Kentucky University, 1 Big Red Way, Bowling Green, KY 42101-3576

The National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgendered (LGBT) College Student Survey, conducted during the 2001-2002 academic, was an Internet survey designed to examine the health risk behaviors, past experiences, and overall well being of college students in the United States who self identify LGBT, or who are questioning their sexual orientation/identity. The LGBT College Student Survey was one of the first national surveys designed to explore the health risk behaviors of this population. Informational packets containing a letter of invitation to participate in the survey along with promotional flyers and postcards were mailed to 135 LGBT college student organizations and resource centers across the United States. Faculty advisors and officers were asked to post flyers, distribute postcards, create a link to the survey from their organization's website, and encourage student participation in the online survey. Survey data were collected from 927 LGBT college students. This session will provide an overview of lesbian and bisexual women's (n = 436) self reported dieting and exercise behavior, body image and perception, and how they correlate with the respondents' social identity, outlook on life, and social skills (internal assets). In addition, differences will be reported by age, sexual orientation, and ethnicity and compared to female college students in general. Results may be used to educate campus health professionals, counselors, student affairs personnel, and administrators about lesbian and bisexual women on college campuses. Furthermore, these data may be useful in developing educational programs and services offered to different populations of LGBT college students.

Learning Objectives:

• At the conclusion of the session, the participant (learner) will be able to:
• 3. Recognize and evaluate the body image and perception of lesbian and bisexual female college students in comparison to females in the general college campus population.
  6. Discuss and analyze correlations between and within social identity, outlook on life, social skills (internal assets), body image and perception, and dieting and exercise behavior among lesbian and bisexual female college students.
  9. Assess and apply how these data may be used to educate campus health professionals, counselors, student affairs personnel, and administrators about lesbian and bisexual women on college campuses.

Keywords: Lesbian Health, College Students

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.