Who You Are vs. Who You Were Born As: A Look at Teen Health

A lot of people think about how being a boy or girl affects health. But what about how someone sees themselves compared to what they were born as? A recent study dug into this. It looked at teens in Catalonia, Spain. The focus was on how health, behaviors, and relationships differ based on gender identity and sex assigned at birth. Most studies look at just one of these factors. This study looked at both. It compared four groups: cisgender boys, cisgender girls, and transgender or gender-expansive youth. The latter group was split into those assigned male at birth and those assigned female at birth. This approach gave a fuller picture.The study found that health and well-being aren't just about gender identity or sex assigned at birth. They are about both. For example, a teen who is assigned female at birth but identifies as a boy might have different health needs than a cisgender girl. The same goes for a teen assigned male at birth who identifies as a girl. This study shows why it's important to consider both factors. It's not just about who you are. It's also about who you were born as. This matters for health and well-being. It matters for how teens interact with others. And it matters for how they see themselves. The study also highlights the need for more inclusive surveys. These surveys should ask about both gender identity and sex assigned at birth. This way, they can better understand the health needs of all teens. It's a step towards better health care. And it's a step towards a more inclusive society.