Am I Too Old to Have Problems With Food? (And Too Old to Get Help?)

Stereotypically, most of society tends to believe an eating disorder is a condition solely restricted to someone who is either a teenager or college-aged person. But according to Dr. Jessica H. Baker, who co-authored a research paper on the topic of eating disorders in older individuals, this belief is not in alignment with reality. Baker advises that “physicians and the general public have had this long-term belief that midlife women are somehow immune to eating disorders.” In a statement to The Daily Beast, she emphasizes that this is “just not true.”

The reality is that, in recent years, more and more middle aged and older women are seeking treatment for an eating disorder – with numbers only continuing to rise.

Some of these individuals have experienced challenges with eating and body image for many years – sometimes decades. A number of them previously recovered from an eating disorder when they were younger and are now experiencing a relapse in symptoms. Others have never gotten help before but are finally ready to break free. Yet there are those, too, for whom the problem didn’t begin till they were in their 40s or 50s – it’s a new, yet troubling situation for them.  

Eating Disorders in Middle Age and Beyond are Far More Common Than Many Might Think

Notably, a study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, led by psychologist Cynthia Bulik, a distinguished professor of eating disorders, and a founding director of the UNC Center of Excellence for Eating Disorders, revealed that 70 percent of women who were aged 50 and older affirmed they were attempting to lose weight, 60 percent agreed concerns regarding their weight and body image were negatively impacting their quality of life, and 13 percent were found to show symptoms of an eating disorder, and were engaged in behaviors such as extreme dieting, binge eating, purging, and/or exercising compulsively.

Additionally, the Renfrew Center, a residential eating disorder facility, has, over the past decade, reported a sharp 42 percent increase in the number of women aged 35 and over who are reaching out for help with an eating disorder.

Overall, eating disorder practitioners are seeing more requests for treatment amongst this cohort. It’s unclear whether there is a concerning increase in the number of individuals who are struggling, or if there is simply just a surge in the number of people who are asking for support. Nevertheless, it’s a significant issue and it’s very clear that this is most definitely a problem that is not restricted to teenagers.

For Middle Aged (Or Older) Individuals, Delaying Treatment for Eating Disorders Can Have Grave Consequences

It’s no secret that our bodies can become less resilient as we age. And an eating disorder, no matter what age you are, can be emotionally and physically devastating.

Dr. Lorna Richards, a psychiatrist and eating disorders specialist at Priory’s Life Works Hospital in Surrey, England, commented on Baker’s study, agreeing women who are older are most certainly not immune from eating disorder problem as they age. In an article for the web-based Rejuvage, a wellness brand targeted at women 40 and over, she advises that “it is of great concern to me that the stigma associated with eating disorders – and the notion that these are adolescent illnesses – prevents middle-aged women from seeking help and from being identified and referred to specialist services. This leads to delays in accessing necessary treatment, an increased risk of medical complications and the development of enduring eating disorders that are less responsive to treatment.

“Older women,” she continues, “may be more likely to suffer from related medical complications, such as osteoporosis, gastrointestinal and cardiac issues and irreversible dental problems (think tooth decay, gum disease, etc. resulting from nutritional deficiencies and/or purging). Extreme weight loss associated with eating disorders leads to lower levels of estrogen in the body. In addition, if a woman is starving or purging her food, malnutrition and higher levels of the stress hormone cortisol can result in bone loss and this will all increase a woman’s risk of developing osteoporosis.” Many women become so caught up in their disorder and have no awareness of how their behaviors could be fast tracking them toward serious medical conditions. For instance, as Richards mentions, they may experience bone loss that ultimately results in a hip fracture which could permanently and significantly impair their quality of life.

Doctors Are Missing Eating Disorders in Middle Aged Patients

Unfortunately, far too many physicians miss the signs of an eating disorder in all age groups across the board. But the issue is considerably more likely to be overlooked if you’re older. It’s worth noting that, in general, physicians tend to not be well-versed in assessing for eating disorders or in their treatment. And so they are likely to not know how it presents or what signs they should look for.

Margo Maine, a Connecticut-based clinical psychologist and co-author of “Pursuing Perfection: Eating Disorders, Body Myths, and Women at Midlife and Beyond” speaking to The Washington Post, commented on the phenomenon: “Doctors still have trouble seeing eating disorders in anyone other than young patients. Everyone who’s losing weight, they’re the star — they don’t ask you how you lost the weight.” In her opinion, physician’s see weight loss as something simply to be praised and they don’t stop to consider if changes in body weight could possibly be the result of unhealthy, disordered eating behaviors. Maine argues that this “just encourages eating disorders.”

It’s important to be aware that, in the doctor’s office, the old stereotypes work very much against most people. The medical provider may tend to still hold onto the view that an eating disorder is a condition solely restricted to a teenage population and that the presenting teenager, in order to have an eating disorder, will need to be visually emaciated. Of course, this ignores the fact that such a patient represents only a small portion of those who actually do, in fact, have an eating disorder. Many individuals will, alternatively, have a body which is considered to be of normal weight or slightly above. Because of this, the problem is apt to be missed. Also, as stated, this is a condition which may impact someone regardless of their age. An eating disorder does not have a look, nor does it target only specific populations – it can impact anyone no matter their age, weight, race, socioeconomic status, etc.

With Maturity Comes High Hope For Recovery

Women in their 40’s and beyond might feel a great sense of shame and a lack of hope, particularly if they’ve struggled with disordered eating for many years. However, clients in this demographic have promising advantages when it comes to recovery. For instance, there are more life experiences offering them insight.

There is typically a much greater level of awareness of both the physical and mental costs of continuing to sustain dysfunctional eating behaviors.

Also, too, on their side - there is more and more awareness amongst treatment providers that this does present in all age groups, along with continued increased understanding of the unique attributes of an eating disorder for this demographic.