Category: Weight gain
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A systematic review found increases in BMI during puberty blocker treatment, particularly among females
A 2024 systematic review reported that 39% of biologically female participants were classified as overweight prior to beginning puberty blockers. During treatment, increases in BMI-SDS were observed, particularly among biologically female participants, alongside alterations in expected growth trajectories.
The review noted that the available evidence remains limited by small sample sizes, heterogeneity between studies, and the observational nature of the data.
Jazz Jennings, star of the reality TV series I Am Jazz, began puberty blockers at age 11. Jennings gained substantial weight (nearly 100 pounds / ~45 kg) after starting blockers and cross-sex hormones, reaching morbid obesity (over 200 lbs / 90+ kg) at one point, which further complicated surgical preparation and recovery. (TLC, 2022).
TLC. (2022, January 25). Jazz is heartbroken by her weight gain | I Am Jazz [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSv3vq6L-fA
Zepf, F.D. et al. (2024). Beyond NICE: Aktualisierte systematische Übersicht zur Evidenzlage der Pubertätsblockade und Hormongabe bei Minderjährigen mit Geschlechtsdysphorie. Zeitschrift für Kinder- und Jugendpsychiatrie und Psychotherapie, 1-21. DOI: 10.1024/1422-4917/a000972
PDF: Full paper PDF