Paradoxical Obesity and Overweight Disparities Among Sexual Minority Men: A Meta-Analysis. Issue 2 (April 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: López Castillo, Humberto; Blackwell, Christopher W.; Schrimshaw, Eric W.
• Is Part Of: American journal of men's health. Volume 16:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-04
• Subjects: obesity -- overweight -- elevated BMI -- men who have sex with men -- sexual minorities -- prevalence -- obesity paradox -- meta-analysis; Men -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Sex factors in disease -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- Periodicals; Men -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- Periodicals; Men -- Medical care -- Periodicals; 362.10811
• DOI: 10.1177/15579883221095387
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1557-9883

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the prevalence and likelihood of overweight, obesity, and elevated body mass index (BMI) among sexual minority men (i.e., men who have sex with men [MSM], men who have sex with men and women [MSMW], and all sexual minority men), using men who have sex with women (MSW) as the reference group. Studies reporting mean BMIs or prevalence or likelihood of obesity, overweight, or elevated BMI categorized by sexual orientation were included. Data were pooled and analyzed to report mean differences (MDs) of BMIs, prevalence rates, odds ratios (ORs), and their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Forty-three studies were included, with a median of 26, 507 participants (median 3.37% sexual minority men). The respective mean overweight, obesity, and elevated BMI prevalence rates among MSM (36%, 23%, and 39%) and MSMW (33%, 27%, and 47%) were lower than those of MSW (44%, 26%, and 55%). This finding was consistent with a significantly lower BMI (MD −1.50 [−1.93, −1.08] kg/m 2 ) and a decreased likelihood of overweight (OR 0.75 [0.64, 0.88]) and obesity (OR 0.84 [0.78, 0.90]). Sexual minority men present with a lower prevalence and likelihood of obesity and overweight than their heterosexual counterparts. The obesity paradox—a sustained catabolic state presenting with lower BMI—is a feasible explanation for this phenomenon, although further research exploring paradoxical cardiovascular findings is granted.