“L'impatto della percezione dell'immagine Corporea, in relazione all'espressione di genere, sui comportamenti alimentari tra giovani adulti transgender in Argentina”

This study explored how Argentinian transgender men experience the impact of gender expression and perceived body image on their eating behaviors. Research on these topics is limited in Argentina, despite growing attention to transgender health and embodiment. To address this gap, five transgender men aged 20 to 30 participated in a semi-structured online interview analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. The findings show that eating behaviors are often used to manage gendered physical features, reduce discomfort, or increase alignment between the body and gender identity, rather than to achieve conventional appearance ideals. Experiences of misrecognition, visibility, and social evaluation play an important role in shaping body-related concerns. Gender-affirming changes, particularly hormone therapy, are described as strategies to increase body satisfaction and decrease reliance on restrictive or compensatory eating patterns. Participants also highlighted variability in healthcare experiences and the importance of community and peer support as protective factors. The study contributes to a small body of research on transgender embodiment in Argentina and highlights how gender expression, body image, and eating behaviors intersect in everyday life. Future research may further examine these relationships with larger samples, explore interactions with healthcare providers, and consider conceptual approaches that reflect evolving understandings within transgender communities.