Predictors of Stigma Towards Transgender and Gender Non-Conforming Individuals Among Registered Dietitians and Dietetics Students

Transgender and gender non-conforming (TGNC) individuals have been described as suffering from societal stigma across a variety of health dimensions, including food vulnerability and worse nutritional outcomes. Identifying personal predictors of stigma towards TGNC individuals among Registered Dieticians (RDNs) and dietetics students may help address these neglected needs. A total of 172 participants were surveyed (128 completed surveys, response rate 74.41%). Psychometric questionnaires (personality traits by Big Five Inventory - BFI, inclination towards intuitive eating by Intuitive Eating Scale, attitudes towards individuals with larger bodies and TGNC people according to the ATOP and ATTI, respectively) and sociodemographic characteristics were recorded. Females comprised 86% of the sample. RDNs composed 58% of the sample, the remaining 42% were dietetics students. Statistical analyses included analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and partial correlations by Spearman’s rho coefficients, both corrected for age. No significant difference was observed between RDNs and dietetics students in relation to attitudes towards TGNC individuals (F-value 0.886, p-value 0.350). Openness to experience (partial ρ 0.374, p-value 0.003), intuitive eating (body-food choice congruence: partial ρ 0.306, p-value 0.015; unconditional permission to eat: partial ρ 0.255, p-value 0.044), and attitudes towards individuals with larger bodies (partial ρ 0.408, p-value <0.001) were positively correlated with better attitudes towards TGNC people. The current study suggests that promoting gender-inclusive and weight-positive content within dietetic education, while also increasing representation of diverse body weights and shapes, could address neglected needs across gender-diverse individuals.