Age‐Related Trends in Eating‐Pathology Symptoms Among Sexual Minority Adults

Objective To examine how eating‐disorder symptoms vary by chronological age and sexual orientation in sexual minority adults. Method Cross‐sectional data came from 2062 cisgender sexual minority participants (925 gay men, 573 lesbian women, 116 bi+ men, 448 bi+ women; age = 47.8 years, range = 18–96). Eight subscales from the Eating Pathology Symptoms Inventory were examined. A multivariate multivariable general linear model tested main and interaction effects of age and sexual orientation; significant multivariate multivariable findings were probed with false‐discovery‐rate‐adjusted univariate regressions. Results Older age was associated with lower body dissatisfaction, binge eating, and muscle‐building behaviours, but higher cognitive restraint and negative attitudes toward obesity. Age‐by‐group interactions indicated that body dissatisfaction and binge eating were higher among older cisgender bi+ women, whereas muscularity‐oriented behaviours were lower in lesbian and bi+ women compared to gay men. Associations remained after socioeconomic covariate adjustment. Conclusions Findings suggested that levels of eating pathology varied based on age and across sexual minority groups. Bi+ women showed increasing body dissatisfaction and binge eating with age, while lesbian and bi+ women reported lower muscularity‐oriented behaviours relative to gay men. Life‐course prevention and treatment strategies should address identity‐specific stress ecologies and the needs of adult sexual minority populations.