Experiences of disordered eating and exercise behaviors of neurodivergent, gender diverse youth: a scoping review

Objective Research shows that both gender diverse youth and neurodivergent youth are at an increased risk of engaging in disordered eating behavior or developing feeding and eating disorders, yet little is known about eating disorders in youth who are both gender diverse and neurodivergent. This article examines the existing literature that explores disordered eating in neurodivergent, gender diverse youth.Method A scoping review was conducted using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) guidelines for scoping reviews and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) checklist. We searched Embase, Healthstar, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science for relevant articles.Results 31 articles from our searches met inclusion criteria. An additional five articles were found from reference lists of included articles, for a total of 36 articles. Following best practices for reporting for scoping reviews, we used a basic qualitative content analysis to organize the findings into the following three broad categories: (1) Rates and severity of feeding and eating disorders and neurodivergence of gender diverse youth; (2) Factors contributing to feeding and eating disorder or disordered eating behavior development in gender diverse, neurodivergent youth; and (3) Treatment outcomes.Discussion Gender diverse, neurodivergent youth are at increased risk of developing feeding and eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors. Experiences of gender dysphoria, cognitive differences, and minority stress may contribute to this increased risk. While access to gender-affirming care is a necessary component of treatment, it does not appear to be sufficient for resolving feeding and eating disorders or disordered eating behaviors in this population.