LGBTQA+ teens suffer sleep and physical activity gap
Young people identifying as LGBTQA+ have a harder time getting enough physical activity and sleep, which can hurt their long-term health.
Key Findings
- LGBTQA+ youth tend to get less physical activity than their peers, suggesting they are growing up in environments that make it harder to maintain a healthy lifestyle.
- They also tend to get less sleep, which can affect their mental health and well-being.
- While many LGBTQA+ youth spend more than the recommended 2 hours a day in front of screens, this is similar to other young people their age.
- Schools and communities need to create inclusive and supportive environments to promote healthier lifestyles for LGBTQA+ youth.
Source*
Fortnum, K., Gomersall, S. R., Ross, M. H., Woodforde, J., Thomas, G., Wen, Y.-S., Perales, F., & Stylianou, M. (2024). 24-Hour Movement Behaviors of LGBTQA+ Young People: A Systematic Review. Journal of Physical Activity and Health, 21(12), 1308–1324. https://doi.org/10.1123/jpah.2024-0343
*All evidence briefs are informed by one or more peer reviewed research studies. All study publications used to inform this article are listed at the bottom of this brief with links.
What's this about?
LGBTQA+ youth often face hurdles that make it difficult for them to join in and stay active, including insults, mockery and gender-segregated facilities.
An international study reveals that LGBTQA+a youth face significant challenges in maintaining an active lifestyle and getting enough sleep, compared to their peers.
These findings suggest that their environments may hinder the development of healthy habits.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends specific amounts of physical activity, sleep, and screen time for children and young people aged 5-17 years. However, only about 7% of young people meet all three targets, with some groups facing greater hurdles than others.
Historically, research has focused on cisgenderb (individuals whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth) and heterosexualc individuals. However, LGBTQA+ youth are known to experience poorer mental and physical health than their peers.
To address this, researchers from the University of Queensland analysed 56 studies from countries including the UK, Canada, and China.
Researchers explain that LGBTQA+ youth often face barriers to physical activity, including discrimination, insults, and discomfort in gender-divided spaces such as changing rooms. These challenges can cause significant distress and make it hard for them to stay active, which in turn can also affect their sleep.
While LGBTQA+ youth tend to exceed the recommended 2 hours of daily screen time, researchers emphasise that the quality of screen use is more important than the quantity. Social media, for instance, can provide valuable connections to positive online communities.
The study highlights the need for more research on LGBTQA+ health and on intersex youth, who were not included in this study. Their experiences may differ and should be explored separately.
These findings add weight to previous research, showing that LGBTQA+ individuals are more likely to experience poorer health as adults, including conditions like obesity, diabetes, and mental health issues.
Understanding the environments and challenges of LGBTQA+ youth can inform strategies to prevent these problems early on and improve lifelong health.
Research Toolkit
What you need to know about the study?
KEY INSIGHTS
- LGBTQA+ YOUTH HAVE LOWER ACTIVITY LEVELS
- LGBTQA+ youth aged 11-17 are less likely to get 60 daily minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than their peers.
- STRENGTH TRAINING SHORTAGE
- LGBTQA+ youth are also less likely to miss the WHO’s 3-day weekly strength training goal. Sources of strength training include activities like playground play, tree climbing, tug-of-war, weight lifting, and resistance band exercises.
- SLEEP SHORTFALL
- LGBTQA+ youth get less sleep than recommended (9-11 hours for ages 5-13 and 10+ hours for ages 14-17). Using electronics before bed and having less daytime activity may contribute to this shortfall.
- EXCESSIVE SCREEN TIME
- Nearly two-thirds (56-65%) of LGBTQA+ youth exceed the 2-hour daily screen time limit. Schools and parents should help young people balance screen use with more physical activity and sleep, while acknowledging the benefits of social media.
WHAT ELSE
- CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ACTIVITY
- Positive interactions with PE teachers, LGBTQA+ role models, and diverse representation can encourage more LGBTQA+ youth to take part in physical activities.
- FOSTERING INCLUSIVITY
- Equip school staff, governors, and community partners with the skills to create inclusive spaces, addressing physical, social, and after-school factors to engage all students.
- INCLUDING STUDENT VOICE
- LGBTQA+ youth experiences vary widely; listening to their perspectives is vital for ensuring safe and inclusive environments.
- WATCH THIS SPACE
- We need better research to better understand what environments help or hinder LGBTQA+ youth. With more studies underway, expect fresh insights soon!
Related Topics
- Gender
- Inclusive
- Sleep
- Screen time
- Physical activity
- Exercise
- Social media
Research Sources
Note.
a LGBTQA+: An abbreviation used to refer to individuals identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer/questioning, and asexual.
b Cisgender: Used to refer to people whose gender identity matches their sex assigned at birth – people who are not transgender.
c Heterosexual: A term used to describe someone who has an emotional, romantic or sexual attraction towards someone of the opposite sex or gender. Also referred to as straight.
1. Fortnum et al., 2024
