title: Challenges in Intervention Research for Lesbian and Bisexual Women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  More than one-third of U.S. adults are obese, the highest prevalence occurring among women age 60 and older (42.3%), and women ages 40 to 59 (36.0%). This issue is even more pronounced among lesbian and bisexual (LB) women. Studies suggest this population may be twice as likely to be overweight or obese as heterosexual women. Despite this public health issue, little has been done to reduce overweight and obesity in LB women.
  
  
  METHODS
  During the design of healthy-weight interventions aimed at reducing overweight and obesity in older LB women through increased physical activity and improved nutrition, we conducted a systematic review of health interventions targeting older LB women to identify and describe core characteristics present in such interventions. We identified 878 articles and studies as potentially relevant to our review and evaluated them for inclusion in our analysis. We analyzed five interventions, including two on smoking cessation and one each on physical activity, breast cancer screening, and alcohol abuse.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results indicate that, regardless of desired health outcome, typical intervention characteristics included: social support, education, goal setting, peer-based facilitation, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)-friendly intervention environments.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lack of health interventions in this population is disconcerting. Coupled with the high and disparate prevalence of overweight and obesity in LB women, the lack of published evidence of efforts targeting this population presents a critical opportunity for policymakers and researchers to respond to this public health concern.
authors.affiliation: 1 The Lewin Group , Falls Church, Virginia.
authors.forename: Allison M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Rizer
authors.affiliation: 2 Jacobs Institute of Women's Health, The George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services , Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: D Richard
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mauery
authors.affiliation: 3 Office on Women's Health , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: Suzanne G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Haynes
authors.affiliation: 3 Office on Women's Health , U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Washington, D.C.
authors.forename: Babette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Couser
authors.affiliation: 1 The Lewin Group , Falls Church, Virginia.
authors.forename: Cindy
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gruman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001727:Bisexuality; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D018452:Homosexuality, Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000517:prevention & control; D050177:Overweight / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000592:standards; D015995:Prevalence; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D012944:Social Support; D014481:United States
keywords: and transgender (LGBT) women; bisexual; gay; health interventions; lesbian; lesbian health; obesity; overweight