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Chinese Sexual Minority Male Adolescents’ Suicidality and Body Mass Index

Author

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  • Yeen Huang

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Pengsheng Li

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Zhisheng Lai

    (Yuexiu District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510080, China)

  • Xiaofei Jia

    (Tianhe District Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangzhou 510655, China)

  • Di Xiao

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China)

  • Tian Wang

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China)

  • Lan Guo

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Ciyong Lu

    (Department of Medical Statistics and Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Food, Nutrition and Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510080, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

Abstract

Excess weight status may increase the risk of suicidality among sexual minority females, but few studies have examined this suicidality disparity in sexual minority males. This study examined the association between sexual minority status and suicide attempts in Chinese male adolescents and tested whether body mass index (BMI) had a moderating effect on that association. Data were collected from 7th to 12th graders from seven randomly selected provinces of China in the 2015 School-Based Chinese Adolescents Health Survey. In total, 72,409 male students completed the questionnaires regarding sexual attraction, self-reported weight and height, and suicide attempts. After adjustment for covariates, sexual minority status was associated with suicide attempts among male students (AOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.57–1.93). Stratification analyses showed that BMI category moderated this association; compared with the results before stratification analyses, sexual minority males who were obese had increased risk of suicide attempts (AOR = 2.15, 95% CI = 1.09–4.24), sexual minority males who were overweight had reduced odds of suicide attempts (AOR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.01–1.92), and no significant association change was found in sexual minority males who were underweight (AOR = 1.82, 95% CI = 1.43–2.33). Our study indicated that BMI moderated the risk of suicide attempts in sexual minority males. Suicide prevention targeting sexual minority males should be focused on weight status disparity and the creation of a positive climate to reduce minority stressors due to body image.

Suggested Citation

  • Yeen Huang & Pengsheng Li & Zhisheng Lai & Xiaofei Jia & Di Xiao & Tian Wang & Lan Guo & Ciyong Lu, 2018. "Chinese Sexual Minority Male Adolescents’ Suicidality and Body Mass Index," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(11), pages 1-12, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:11:p:2558-:d:182916
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Remafedi, G. & French, S. & Story, M. & Resnick, M.D. & Blum, R., 1998. "The relationship between suicide risk and sexual orientation: Results of a population-based study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 88(1), pages 57-60.
    2. Russell, S.T. & Joyner, K., 2001. "Adolescent sexual orientation and suicide risk: Evidence from a national study," American Journal of Public Health, American Public Health Association, vol. 91(8), pages 1276-1281.
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