The purpose of this study is to examine differences in body mass index and physical activity between sexual minority identified and heterosexual identified women.

1. • 2007-2014 National Health and Nutrition
Examination Survey.
• 6,342 HSI and 455 SMI women.
• SMI women are categorized as participants
who answered lesbian, bisexual or other to the
sexual orientation question.
• Body Mass Index is calculated using height and
weight measurements taken by NHANES
examination staff and calculated as kg/m2.
• Physical activity was collected as a self-report
measure of participation in recreational
physical activity.
• Separate multivariable logistic regression
analyses were modeled for each of the
outcome variables
A Population-Based Study of Body Mass Index and Physical
Activity Disparities Among Sexual Minority Identified Women
Sarah M. Piperato, M.S.1 and Melinda Forthofer, PhD2
1. University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, United States., 2. University of North Carolina, Charlotte, NC, United States.
Results Methods/Analysis
• Sexual minority identified (SMI) women are at an
increased risk for risky drinking, drug use, mental
health issues, cardiovascular disease, cancer,
hypertension, and stroke.
• LGBT populations have been designated as a health
disparity population by the National Institutes of
Health.
• SMI women have higher rates of obesity compared
to heterosexual identified (HIS) women.
• Mechanisms behind weight disparities are unknown.
• Physical activity research for comparing SMI women
and HSI women has produced inconsistent results.
Background
Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine differences in
body mass index and physical activity between sexual
minority identified and heterosexual identified
women.
Multivariate Adjusted Logistic Regression Analysis of Associations Between
Body Mass Index and Sexual Identity
SMI Compared to HSI
Body Mass Index Adjusted Odds Ratio 95% Confidence
Interval
P-value
Underweight 1.38 (0.59, 3.23) 0.4541
Healthy Weight REF - -
Overweight 1.01 (0.65, 1.54) 0.9825
Obese 1.81 (1.23, 2.65) 0.0032*
Multivariate logistic regression analyses for BMI are adjusted for age, physical activity
recommendation, race, marital status, health insurance status, alcohol use, marijuana or hashish
use, cocaine/methamphetamine use and cigarette smoking. *p-value <.05
Multivariate Adjusted Logistic Regression Analyses of Associations Between
Recreational Physical Activity and Sexual Identity
SMI Compared to HSI
Recreational PA Adjusted OR 95% CI P-value
Moderate Activity
Yes 0.85 (0.67,1.08) 0.1854
No REF - -
Vigorous Activity
Yes 1.18 (0.82, 1.70) 0.3622
No REF - -
Meets Recommendations
Yes 0.92 (0.68, 1.25) 0.5924
No REF - -
Odds ratios and p-values for recreational physical activity were obtained using three separate
multivariate logistic regression analyses. MPA analyses are adjusted for BMI, age, race, education,
self-rated health, alcohol use, cocaine/methamphetamine use and cigarette use. VPA adjusted for
BMI, age, marital status, education, self-rated health and alcohol use. Physical activity
recommendations adjusted for BMI, age, race, marital status, education, self-rated health and
alcohol use. *p-value <.05
Discussion
The prevalence of obesity is higher among sexual
minority identified women. Physical activity
does not appear to be driving the weight
disparity between SMI and HSI women. A better
understanding is needed of mechanisms for
group differences in weight status. Additional
research should consider sociocultural factors,
subgroup-specific norms, and effects of minority
stress..