Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, University Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Maria Cristina Meriggiola
Division of Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Francesco Lombardo
Laboratory of Semiology, Sperm Bank “Loredana Gandini”, Department of Experimental Medicine, Sapienza University of Rome, 00185 Rome, Italy
Giovanna Motta
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Chiara Michela Crespi
Division of Endocrinology, Diabetology and Metabolism, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Città della Salute e della Scienza di Torino, University of Turin, 10126 Turin, Italy
Maddalena Mosconi
Gender Identity Development Service, Hospital S. Camillo-Forlanini, 00152 Rome, Italy
Alessandro Oppo
Endocrinology Unit, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, 09124 Cagliari, Italy
Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, University Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Nunzia Verde
Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica e Chirurgia, Sezione di Endocrinologia, University Federico II, 80138 Naples, Italy
Alessandra Lami
Division of Gynecology and Physiopathology of Human Reproduction, Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences (DIMEC), IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, S. Orsola Hospital, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Emanuela Bologna
Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT)-Dipartimento per la Produzione Statistica (DIPS), Direzione Centrale delle Statistiche Demografiche e del Censimento della Popolazione (DCDC), 00184 Rome, Italy
Rosaria Varì
Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Maria Teresa Pagano
Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Luciana Giordani
Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Paola Matarrese
Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Flavia Chiarotti
Independent Researcher, 00100 Rome, Italy
Alessandra Daphne Fisher
Andrology, Women’s Endocrinology and Gender Incongruence Unit, Florence University Hospital, 50100 Florence, Italy
Marina Pierdominici
Reference Centre for Gender Medicine, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
Transgender and gender-diverse (TGD) individuals continue to experience harassment and discrimination across various aspects of life, significantly impacting their physical and mental health. The scarcity of data on their general health, particularly regarding dietary habits, remains a challenge in developing effective healthcare strategies for this population. To address this gap, we analyzed selected dietary habits, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (BMI) among Italian TGD adults compared to the Italian general population (IGP). An online anonymous survey was conducted via the Computer Assisted Web Interviewing technique from June 2020 to June 2021. Participants were enrolled through clinical centers and TGD organizations. Data from 959 TGD adults were analyzed using chi-squared tests and logistic regression models. Key findings indicated that approximately 70% of TGD individuals consumed fewer servings of fruit and vegetables (FV) than recommended (five or more servings per day). Although red meat consumption was lower overall, a greater percentage of TGD individuals reported consuming more than three servings per week. Additionally, 58% of TGD participants indicated that they did not engage in any PA, compared to 36% of the IGP. Notably, significant differences in BMI were identified, with higher rates of overweight and obesity among TGD individuals assigned female at birth. These results underscore the urgent need for tailored nutritional guidelines and inclusive public health strategies to meet the specific health needs of the Italian TGD population. Expanding access to targeted interventions could contribute to improving overall well-being in this marginalized group.