Sex at every size: A content analysis of weight inclusivity in sexual functioning research

Nathan Quinn, Robert J. Zeglin, Courtney Boggs, Hannah Glusenkamp, Melinda Rule, Kristen Hicks-Roof, Kassie R. Terrell

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Sexual functioning research has been slow to address sizeism within its volumes. Much of the sexual health science has adopted a weight normative model rather than a weight inclusive model. The purpose of this study was to, through systematic literature review, describe the sexual functioning research landscape with respect to weight inclusivity. The review included three databases (Google Scholar, Medline and Ebsco) between 2010 and 2020. Each article was double coded for weight inclusivity and sexual functioning. Sixty-seven articles met the criteria and were included in analysis. The articles, overall, only endorsed weight inclusive tenets 16 % of the time. Articles were most weight inclusive when discussing sexual satisfaction (22.5 %). Meanwhile, when discussing sexual arousal, the articles were the least weight inclusive (16.7 %). These findings suggest there is needs to be greater education and intention for sex educators, therapists, and clinicians, to explore and enhance body positivity and sexual health.

Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)420-428
JournalBody Image
Volume43
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2022

Keywords

  • Fat
  • Obesity
  • Sexual dysfunction
  • Sizeism

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