439 - Barriers to Physical Activity for Gender Diverse Adolescents

Adolescents experience many health benefits from regular physical activity (PA). Research suggests decreased levels of PA in gender diverse individuals when compared with cisgender individuals. Research in gender diverse adults has outlined specific barriers to PA, however no research has looked at the prevalence of specific barriers to PA that gender diverse adolescents face.


Objective:

Describe the degree to which systemic and personal factors and activity formats impact gender diverse adolescent participation in PA.


Design/Methods:

Eligible participants were between 13-18 years old, identified as transgender or nonbinary and lived in the United States. They were recruited using flyers, wallet cards, email, and social media. Participants completed an online survey which asked about potential barriers to PA and preferred formats for PA. Item level responses were categorized as major barriers if a participant reported the item as almost or always getting in the way of PA.   


Results:

97 surveys were completed with a mean age of 16.2 years. 48.9% of participants identified as female/transfeminine, 37.8% as female/transfeminine, 7.1% as nonbinary, and 6.2% as genderqueer or agender. The items most frequently reported as major barriers to PA were physical discomfort or pain from binding or tucking (50.5%), not being able to use a locker room or changing room where they feel comfortable (44.2%), worrying that others will judge negatively because of gender identity (44.2%), the requirement to wear athletic clothing or uniform that makes them feel uncomfortable (42.1%), and dissatisfaction with body due to gender dysphoria (41.2%). Participants reported being most comfortable with co-ed/all gender teams and individual activity with over 50% of participants feeling comfortable or very comfortable doing PA in those settings.


Conclusion(s):

The most salient barriers to PA that gender diverse adolescents reported were similar to those previously noted in gender diverse adults. These included discomfort from body modification, lack of inclusive facilities and clothing, and gender dysphoria. Access to all gender teams and standardization of inclusive facilities and clothing may increase the PA of gender diverse adolescents.