Trans people in NZ are at high risk of eating disorders

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2026-05-01 08:59

New Zealand

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A survey of more than 2000 trans and non-binary people in NZ has found over a third may be at risk of eating disorders. Trans-men, trans-women and non-binary people were all equally likely to be at risk. Younger people were more at risk, with some linking gender incongruence at puberty to the start of their disordered eating. However being Māori, having neurodivergence or disabilities, or experiencing financial hardship, also increased risk. The authors say for equitable prevention and care, we need better understanding of trans people’s experiences of eating disorders, and of the increased risk for those with other marginalised identities.

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Research Frontiers, Web page

Journal/
conference: Frontiers in Psychiatry

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Victoria University of Wellington

Funder: The author(s) declared that financial support was received for this work and/or its publication. Counting Ourselves was funded by the Rutherford Discovery Fellowship received by Principal Investigator JV, from the Royal Society Te Apārangi. The preparation of this manuscript was supported by an internal grant from Te Herenga Waka -Victoria University of Wellington.

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