Disordered eating in sexual and gender minority adults: the roles of gender variance, appearance anxiety, and internalized ideals

Findings underscore the heightened vulnerability of Romanian SGM individuals to disordered eating and illuminate the dual role of gender expression as both a stressor and a potential protective factor. Appearance-related anxiety and internalized ideals emerged as key mechanisms, though with nuanced and partly inconsistent effects. By situating these processes within an under-researched Eastern European context, the study contributes culturally specific insights to the global literature on SGM health disparities. Future research should employ intersectional designs and incorporate broader constructs such as muscularity-oriented dissatisfaction and compensatory behaviors.