Challenging norms in the context of health: Obesity among sexual minority women

Rates of obesity in the US are soaring in both pediatric and adult populations. Obesity is a known risk factor for several modifiable, if not preventable diseases including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. Many medically underserved populations are disproportionately affected. Sexual minority women fall into this category. Higher rates of obesity in sexual minority women have been attributed to many things, not the least of which is as a backlash or rejection of societal standards of beauty and an increased perception of daily stress related to a minority sexual identity. The reasons for increased rates of obesity in this population are as varied and complex as are the myriad explanations of obesity in general. Obesity is a complex health concern. It is intertwined with genetics, culture, environmental influences, societal standards and ideals of beauty that contribute to a vast array of opinions and conflict. Although the term “obesity” is laden with negative connotation for many, differing body types that exemplify excess body weight are accepted among many women who identify belonging to a sexual minority group. For ease of presentation, the term “obesity” will be used to encompass all realms of body fat in excess of what is biologically needed. The purposes of this presentation are to provide clarity to the relationship between sexual minority women and obesity through a lens of culture, environment, societal standards and ideals of beauty and to describe a program developed to address the health consequences of obesity among sexual minority women.