Lesbian Health Survey- Can you help this PhD Student?? PLEASE!!

[Hokie Girl]

I appreciate your inquiry, SuperFemme. Thanks for bringing that to the forefront. Actually, this is a survey for all-weighted women. That introduction was just to demonstrate why research on overweight and obesity is an important health issue. . . and not just a "social" or "socially stigmatized" issue. There are serious chronic diseases related to overweight and obesity, and that is why I am studying our community. Obviously, a historically understudied population, sexual minority women and body weight is virtually invisible in the health and wellness literature; focus on our community in the behavioral health aspect of this issue (physical activity habits, healthy eating habits, alcohol consumption, etc. . . ) is minimal and the outcomes mostly equivocal.

So, that was a very long answer to say, "Yes! All weights are being investigated in my study." I'm really attempting to gain understanding about the environmental, behavioral, and cognitive influences and how those three areas interact within the lesbian commmunity. Still not very succinct. . .

I welcome any other questions, concerns, etc. . . I am so passionate about this study not only because it's important, but it really is my chance to make a positive impact within my community. - Lastly, as I told the Bella/Spinsters folks, I would be happy to post my results here, once they are finalized.

And, I am not easily offended, Softness. I absolutely understand your concerns. I just wanted to be sure you knew I was legit. You can also go to www.hnfe.vt.edu follow the links to "Research" and then to the Translational Obesity Research Program- look under "grad option and students," and you will find my profile there. I was also a Tarheel, if that will help you find me on the site.

THANKS so much for the feedback and questions. I'm kind of new to the listservs. . . haven't had much of a social life the past three years!

HG

[SuperFemme]

Originally Posted by Hokie Girl

I appreciate your inquiry, SuperFemme. Thanks for bringing that to the forefront. Actually, this is a survey for all-weighted women. That introduction was just to demonstrate why research on overweight and obesity is an important health issue. . . and not just a "social" or "socially stigmatized" issue. There are serious chronic diseases related to overweight and obesity, and that is why I am studying our community. Obviously, a historically understudied population, sexual minority women and body weight is virtually invisible in the health and wellness literature; focus on our community in the behavioral health aspect of this issue (physical activity habits, healthy eating habits, alcohol consumption, etc. . . ) is minimal and the outcomes mostly equivocal.

So, that was a very long answer to say, "Yes! All weights are being investigated in my study." I'm really attempting to gain understanding about the environmental, behavioral, and cognitive influences and how those three areas interact within the lesbian commmunity. Still not very succinct. . .

I welcome any other questions, concerns, etc. . . I am so passionate about this study not only because it's important, but it really is my chance to make a positive impact within my community. - Lastly, as I told the Bella/Spinsters folks, I would be happy to post my results here, once they are finalized.

And, I am not easily offended, Softness. I absolutely understand your concerns. I just wanted to be sure you knew I was legit. You can also go to www.hnfe.vt.edu- follow the links to the Translational Obesity Research Program- look under grad students, and you will find my profile there. I was also a Tarheel, if that will help you find me on the site.

THANKS so much for the feedback and questions. I'm kind of new to the listservs. . . haven't had much of a social life the past three years!

HG

coolness. i'm in. thanks for coming in and discussing.

[Corkey]

What about those of us who don't identify as lesbian, does your research include FTM's MTF's or just female bodies folks?

[Hokie Girl]

Another GREAT question, Corkey. You are correct; it has been created with parameters that include only the female-bodied folks. But that makes me think for the next step in researching this topic. THANK YOU!

PS- As an aside, you all are providing me really good practice for my defense!

[Corkey]

Even though FTM's and Intersexed, retain some chromosomes of women the XX some have XXY, some not, male hormones will have an effect on certain diseases, so you may want to include that in your research. Good luck.

[ComparedToWhom]

This UVa'er made an exception and helped you out Hokie. (Shhhh, don't disseminate that, the Wahoos might ban me--lol!). After completing your survey I have a few items of feedback for you, fwiw:

Regarding question #21 (Eggs), either the question or the choices need expounding. For example, I eat 6 eggs (4 being egg whites) three times a week. Would I check "3" for total number of times I eat eggs, or ">5" for total number of actual yolks I'm downing per week?

There are several places where either "none", "not applicable", or additional choices would have been my answer, such as with questions #36 and #73. (The latter doesn't account for those of us who are self-employed and work from home).

Question #159 assumes I am overweight. Hardly.

Question #173 choices of answers were "Lesbian", "Bi-sexual", or "Heterosexual". What about those where none of the three are applicable? Unfortunately, the survey wouldn't let me continue without selecting SOMETHING with any of the above so your findings will be skewed. I'd forward the link on to my peeps but I know for absolute certain they will have the same issues (birds of a feather fly together ya know). I registered to be notified of updates to the survey (I think that's what it was) so if you do update it, please let me know. Best wishes to you in your VT educational pursuit, Hokie.

ComparedToWhom

[Toughy]

Originally Posted by Hokie Girl

Another GREAT question, Corkey. You are correct; it has been created with parameters that include only the female-bodied folks. But that makes me think for the next step in researching this topic. THANK YOU!

PS- As an aside, you all are providing me really good practice for my defense!

I understand this to mean that FtM's could participate, but not MtF's.

What about intersexed folks? How are you defining female bodied?

[Hokie Girl]

Okay. . . again, THANK YOU for your feedback. This is very helpful and extremely useful for future studies.

First, several of the scales included in this survey are reliable and validated measures created by scholars much more skilled and educated than I. So, for those questions, we are locked in. . . and for the questions that excluded some folks' identities, I sincerely apologize. We needed a starting point, and in reviewing the literature, it has been well-documented that bisexual females and lesbians did not have distinct enough differences in the areas measured within this survey to not include both identities. While I realize these identities do not even come close to encompassing all female identities, we had to create initial parameters to make assumptions about what these data will reveal. So. . . I do understand these concerns, and they are valid criticisms that will be considered as I move forward in my career.

Truly, I thank you for all the feedback! I'm excited that so many people are interested in topic. That is very encouraging!

Best,
HG

[Toughy]

You didn't answer my question so.........

I was involved in design, implementation and follow up of clinical community based pharmaceutical research for years. I also was Chair of an Institutional Review Board and served on other IRBs that reviewed both clinical and KABB surveys. Research is not foreign for me. I also wrote and evaluated Informed Consent documents. I have also been a volunteer/participant in clinical and non-clinical research.

How do you define lesbian? This is an important point and should have been covered by your IRB. Your consent form does not define lesbian. Nor have you answered any questions concerning your definition of lesbian and what female bodied individuals meet your criteria for a lesbian.

Your Consent Form also does not give references to what studies were done that validated your premise that lesbians as a whole have health outcomes that are less than the outcomes of non-lesbians, based on your parameters. What data do you have to support your premise? A summary from you is not necessary. Just a link or two or three to the references supporting your research question.

I entirely resent the fact you will not allow potential participants to review this survey before answering the questions. This would have never passed any IRB I ever have been involved with. Participants/volunteers have a right to read all the question before they make a decision about participation.

KABB surveys require sophisticated questions and answers. How those questions and answers are framed significantly affects the outcomes portion of your analysis.

I would suggest that despite the approval given from your IRB, that you have NOT provided informed consent for participation.

Be glad I am not on your thesis review board nor was I involved in your IRB review. So far as I know given the information you provided, you are greatly lacking.