A new study published by researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, and the University of Toronto has unveiled a concerning trend: transgender and gender-diverse adolescents engage in significantly less physical activity than their cisgender peers. Drawing on data from the Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development (ABCD) Study, the largest long-term study of brain development in the U.S., the research highlights how stigma, discrimination, and structural barriers limit access to physical activity for these vulnerable youths.
Researchers found that transgender adolescents took nearly 1,400 fewer steps per day than cisgender adolescents—a 12% deficit in the recommended daily activity levels for their age group. These findings underscore the urgent need to address barriers to physical activity for transgender and gender-diverse adolescents.
Breaking Down the Research: Nuanced Gender Identities and Activity Gaps
The study used data from 6,038 preteens, aged 11–12 years, who participated in the ABCD study. These adolescents wore Fitbit devices to objectively track their physical activity levels while also answering a range of questions about their gender identity, including:
- Felt Gender: How much their gender identity aligned with their sex assigned at birth.
- Gender Satisfaction: The degree of contentment they felt with their assigned sex.
- Gender Norm Expression: How much they acted or dressed in ways aligned with societal gender norms.
This comprehensive approach to assessing gender identity revealed a critical insight: binary classifications of gender—cisgender versus transgender—fail to capture the complex and evolving understanding of gender that many young people experience.
“Binary measures of gender don’t capture the complex and evolving understanding of gender that these young teens experience,” said Kyle T. Ganson, Ph.D., assistant professor at the University of Toronto’s Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work and a co-author of the study. “Our study highlights the importance of considering nuanced gender identities when addressing physical activity disparities in young people.”
Stigma and Discrimination: Barriers to Physical Activity
The study also highlighted how stigma and discrimination discourage transgender adolescents from participating in team sports or physical activities. These barriers often force young people to seek safer, more accepting environments online.
“Transgender adolescents may experience stigma and discrimination that discourage their participation in team sports or physical activity,” said lead author Jason M. Nagata, MD, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of California, San Francisco. “Physical activity may instead be replaced by more time spent online, where they might find more accepting and supportive environments.”
This shift from physical to digital spaces may provide emotional relief but can have long-term consequences for physical health. Reduced physical activity levels have been linked to increased risks of obesity, heart disease, and mental health challenges—compounding the existing vulnerabilities faced by transgender youth.
Study Findings: Complex Gender Identities Linked to Lower Activity
The research found that as gender diversity increased—measured through greater incongruence between felt gender and assigned sex—physical activity levels decreased. For example:
- Adolescents identifying as transgender or showing dissatisfaction with their assigned sex at birth took significantly fewer daily steps than their cisgender peers.
- Even subtle deviations from traditional gender norms correlated with decreased physical activity levels.
These results suggest that social pressures, exclusion, and a lack of inclusive opportunities drive much of the disparity.
“Given the lifetime benefits of physical activity, a concerted effort should be made to promote physical activity, exercise, and participation in sports among transgender and gender-diverse adolescents,” said Nagata.
How Families and Communities Can Help
The findings are a call to action for families, friends, schools, and communities to support transgender youth in overcoming barriers to physical activity. Here’s how:
- Foster Inclusive Environments: Schools and sports programs should create policies that allow transgender youth to participate in activities that align with their gender identity. This includes access to inclusive facilities, private changing areas, and supportive coaching.
- Support Mental and Emotional Health: Recognize the mental health struggles that often accompany stigma and discrimination. Affirming a young person’s identity and seeking professional support when necessary can reduce stress and improve overall well-being, making physical activity more appealing.
- Promote Non-Traditional Physical Activities: Not all adolescents feel comfortable in team sports. Encourage participation in individual or non-competitive activities like yoga, dance, hiking, or swimming—spaces that may feel less gendered and more accepting.
- Advocate for Policy Change: Families and allies can push for inclusive policies at the local, state, and national levels, ensuring equal opportunities for transgender youth in sports and physical education.
- Leverage Technology for Support: While online spaces provide much-needed community, they can also be a gateway to physical activity. Virtual fitness classes or games that encourage movement may help bridge the gap for youth reluctant to join traditional sports.
Why This Matters
Physical activity is essential for adolescent development, offering physical, mental, and social benefits. For transgender youth, participation in physical activity is not just about health—it’s also about fostering inclusion, building resilience, and challenging societal norms.
The risks of inactivity are profound. Transgender youth already face elevated risks for mental health challenges, and physical inactivity can further increase their vulnerability to chronic diseases and social isolation. By creating supportive and inclusive environments, families and communities can help transgender adolescents reap the benefits of physical activity while feeling safe and affirmed.
The Bottom Line
The study’s findings are a stark reminder of the work that remains to be done in creating equitable opportunities for all youth. As Ganson emphasized, addressing physical activity disparities requires understanding the nuanced identities of today’s adolescents.
For families, allies, and advocates, the message is clear: physical activity can and should be a joyful and accessible part of every young person’s life. By challenging stigma, breaking down barriers, and fostering inclusion, we can help transgender adolescents thrive—both on and off the field.
