Lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning youth are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes, obesity and engage the in less physical activity and more sedentary activities than heterosexual youth, a new study by Northwestern Medicine has found. The study is among the first of its kind to examine how health behaviors linked to minority stress to the day-to-day stress faced by stigmatized and marginalized populations. It may contribute to the risk of poor physical health among LGBQ youth.
"Lesbian, gay, bisexual and questioning youth may not only be at risk for worse mental health but also worse physical health outcomes compared to heterosexual youth," said the lead author of the study. This is the largest study to the date to report differences in levels of physical activity, sedentary behavior and obesity by sex and sexual orientation among high-school-aged students. The authors used…
