This is a big, relevant topic right now that’s not getting the attention it deserves. The focus on eating disorders has been on young people, but many middle-aged people and baby boomers have long suffered in silence without recognition or help.
Those who have sought therapy tend to cycle in and out of care and may not respond to treatment at all. The sad fact is, people are dying. It’s time to shed light on the many reasons why eating disorders in midlife and beyond have been overlooked.
There’s a gap in research and understanding
There is a significant disparity in the research and understanding of eating disorders in older people. It doesn’t help that there is a stereotype that eating disorders only affect young, White, affluent girls. This may increase the chance that someone going to a doctor for their eating disorder may be dismissed or misdiagnosed. I certainly don’t mean to disrespect any healthcare professional, but eating disorder research, resources, and tailored treatments for those in midlife still remain limited.
Websites aren’t helpful as most are focused on younger patients. Many middle-aged people seeking help find it uncomfortable to go to a treatment center where most of the patients are younger than 35. They may feel out of place participating in group sessions geared specifically for teens and young adults.
Risk factors for eating disorders in midlife
First, it’s important to understand who may be at risk. There are three common patterns in people who have eating disorders in midlife and beyond:
- People who may have had an eating disorder when they were younger and may not have fully recovered. Their illness resurfaces as a result of stress or a major life change.
- People who have had long-term eating disorders and have suffered with the illness their whole lives. It’s not uncommon for those who grew up in the diet culture to have eating disorders since their childhood and have managed to survive. Diet culture refers to the unrealistic hyperfocus around food and weight, which typically boils down to the idea that being thin is healthy, food must be categorized as either good or bad, and that weight loss is a sign of discipline, self-control, and moral superiority.
- People who develop eating disorders for the first time later in life.
The effects of eating disorders are serious and long-lasting
It’s important to understand that eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of all mental illnesses, with the exception of the recent surge in overdose deaths from opiates.
Even with treatment, there is no guarantee that someone will fully recover. After all, our physical and mental well-being rely on proper nutrition. The long-term effects of eating disorders in middle-aged people include arthritis, osteoporosis, dental issues, heart disease, and brain damage.
No one expects people in midlife and beyond to have an eating disorder, but the fact is, middle age is a time when women especially are vulnerable. One study found that 1 in 5 women have experienced an eating disorder by the age of 40 with nearly 3 out of 4 women in midlife saying they aren’t happy with their bodies. A 2012 study in the International Journal of Eating Disorders estimates that 13% of U.S. women aged 50 and over have eating disorder syndrome, which is slightly higher than the 12.4% diagnosed with breast cancer. There are several factors that may trigger eating disorders in midlife:
- Hormonal shifts. Menopause causes changes in appetite and mood. Estrogen levels start to decline, which cause the metabolism to slow resulting in weight gain. A recent study found that 82% of women in menopause reported that they often engage in disordered eating, such as skipping meals or overexercising to compensate for the changes in their bodies.
- Divorce. Returning to the world of dating can be scary. Society reinforces the notion that in order to be beautiful and successful, women must rail thin. In order to achieve a younger, thinner, and more desirable body, many women turn to extreme dieting and exercise.
- Death of a partner. This could have a profound effect on adult women, especially if the death was sudden and unexpected. For women predisposed, the grief, shock, and sadness could trigger an eating disorder as a means of coping and escaping responsibilities.
- Youth-obsessed society. This isn’t new. Throughout history, female beauty has been defined by a youthful appearance, a good body, and perfect skin. The media and cosmetics industry bombard older women with ads focused on products that claim to make them look and feel younger. Unrealistic expectations can lead to insecurity, triggering eating disorders.
Interestingly, health professionals have noticed that many of the parents of their adolescent patients—particularly the moms—were themselves on extreme diets, regularly participated in punishing exercise regimes, and abused laxatives—even as their child was undergoing treatment for eating disorders.
There is hope
Over the past decade, clinics around the world have seen an increase in women and men seeking treatment for eating disorders in midlife and beyond. Many women who have witnessed their child get help for their eating disorders, have sought treatment for themselves. This new awareness has allowed them to see their own illness and feel comfortable talking about it. Organizations like the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) and the National Alliance for Eating Disorders are raising awareness about eating disorders not only in young people, but across peoples’ entire lifespans. More and more, organizations are offering remote therapy sessions and tailoring their treatment programs to older adults.
For far too long, eating disorders in midlife and beyond have been ignored or misunderstood. It’s time to bring this important illness into the light. If you think you may have an eating disorder or you want to ask questions about symptoms and treatment options, please reach out to us. At Wallace Family Therapy, we are highly trained to provide the most effective treatment that meets your specific needs and challenges. We’re here to help you.
