Using youth-engaged research methods to develop a measure of disordered eating in transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse youth: Research protocol

Transgender, non-binary, and gender-diverse (TNG) youth experience disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) for reasons unique to their sociocultural positioning and the specific challenges they face, including gender dysphoria and societal beauty expectations of gender, cissexism, and lack of access to gender affirming medical care. The prevalence of DEBs is considerably and consistently higher in TNG youth compared to their cisgender peers. Nonetheless, there are no DEBs measures tailored to this population. Although the field of TNG DEBs research is quickly growing, gaps in knowledge remain, due, in part, to a lack of TNG input on research protocols focused on this population, and underrepresentation of TNG people in DEBs research. The goal of this research protocol is to develop and evaluate a community informed DEBs measure specific for TNG youth. We will implement youth-engaged research methods to create affirming, inclusive research protocols and optimize recruitment of subpopulations of TNG youth historically excluded from research (i.e., transfeminine youth of color and non-binary youth). A TNG youth advisory board of 5-7 members will participate in all research activities, including developing recruitment matrices, conducting qualitative analyses, developing survey items, interpreting results, and disseminating the scientific findings.