Body Image Issues Among People Who Are Nonbinary

Body image struggles have become more and more prevalent in our society. Societal expectations about what bodies should look like and what is considered ‘beautiful’ have people feeling like they don’t fit in, aren’t good enough, are hating their bodies, and are feeling confused about who they are. Women are expected to be thin with big boobs, perfect skin, toned muscles, big lips, and on and on. Men are pressured to have a six pack, huge biceps, and deep masculine voices. It’s hard enough for many cisgender people to feel okay with their bodies, but imagine how difficult that can be for transgender people or nonbinary folks.

Transgender and non-binary humans often struggle with both sides of those expectations; appearing or behaving too masculine or too feminine. Not wanting to grow breasts or have a period because they don’t want to feel feminine, or not wanting to grow facial hair or have a more masculine build. This can contribute to eating disorders among nonbinary people as well. They often want to change their body or prevent their body from changing. They may feel uncomfortable being identified as ‘female’ or ‘male’ and try to manipulate their body using food restriction, purging, or other eating disorder behaviors to do that. The eating disorder can also be a way for people to control something (food) when other things (bodies and body changes, especially during younger years and going through puberty) are harder to control.

The Journal of Adolescent Health found in a study that people who are gender nonconforming reported the highest rates of eating disorders! They also reported the highest rate of purging behaviors. Studies have also found that transgender youth are 4x more likely to suffer from an eating disorder. Besides trying to change physical features to try to express gender, it could also be to try to challenge/change the social stigma around gender and gender nonconforming people. Feeling the need to change who they are so they are not discriminated against or treated unfairly can make the eating disorder become more and more extreme.

Transgender and nonbinary people need people to support them, validate and listen to their struggles, and be there to support them as they navigate and work through body image struggles. Here at Modern Eve, we are allies! We want to help you through your body image issues and help you grow to make peace with your body.

You can book a free consultation with one of our LGBTQIA+ affirming therapists HERE.