The Relationship Between Body Image and Supplement Use in GBT2Q Plus Men and Nonbinary Individuals: A Pilot Study

Body image dissatisfaction is a well-documented concern among GBT2Q+ men and non-binary individuals, with potential links to risky health behaviors such as dietary supplement use. However, little is known about how these concerns influence supplementation practices in Canada. This pilot study investigated the relationship between body image dissatisfaction and dietary supplement use among 193 GBT2Q+ men and non-binary individuals in Canada using a cross-sectional online survey. Fat burner/weight-loss supplement use was associated with higher body dissatisfaction (users: M = 4.52 vs. 4.22, p = .025; B = 0.28, p = .035). More frequent use was also positively correlated with dissatisfaction (ρ = .15, p = .043). In contrast, protein frequency was negatively correlated with dissatisfaction (ρ = −.14, p = .049). Other supplement types showed no significant associations. These findings underscore the need for culturally sensitive health promotion strategies and future longitudinal research to clarify causal pathways.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Guelph

Author dc:creator

• Zhao, Xi

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Khoury, Dalia El

• body image dissatisfaction
• dietary supplement use
• sexual and gender minorities
• fat burners
• protein supplementation

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/10214/29529

OAI record oai:identifier

https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/server/oai/request?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=dim&identifier=oai%3Aatrium.lib.uoguelph.ca%3A10214%2F29529