Wicked Bodies: A Health and Well-Being Toolkit Addressing Eating Disorders Within LGBTQIA2S+ Communities

Health Promot Pract. 2023 Mar;24(2):258-260. doi: 10.1177/15248399221133734. Epub 2022 Nov 22.

Abstract

Wicked Bodies is a toolkit for addressing eating disorder in LGBTQIA2S+ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, Two-Spirit, and other sexual and gender minority) communities, an increasing prevalent issue that can have serious consequences on the health and well-being for LGBTQIA2S+ people. The toolkit consists of a series of short films and a discussion guidebook that provide a template that can be used for engaging with LGBTQIA2S+ youth through a lens of compassion and cultural humility. Wicked Bodies does this by presenting the lived experiences of a diverse range of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals navigating sociocultural pressures, gender expectations, and peer-based ideals around body weight and shape. Feedback from three screening events revealed that Wicked Bodies has the potential to be transformative as a health promotion initiative.

Keywords: LGBT; arts-based methods; eating disorders; film; queer; teaching.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Feeding and Eating Disorders* / prevention & control
  • Female
  • Gender Identity
  • Humans
  • Sexual Behavior
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*
  • Transgender Persons*