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Disordered Eating, Eating Disorders, and Body Image in Midlife and Older Women

  • Eating Disorders (S Wonderlich and S Engel, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

We review the evidence for the reported increase in disordered eating and body image disturbance occurring in women in middle age and later life. We describe the contributing factors that relate to the unique experience of eating disorders (EDs) at midlife and beyond. We review evidence for several key factors in this observation, specifically the bio-psycho-social and relational components of later life EDs. We present treatment considerations, screening tools for evaluation, and treatment recommendations for this special population suffering with EDs.

Recent Findings

Eating disorder symptoms and body image preoccupation have been identified in increasing numbers of women over age 50. Reports indicate that women are seeking treatment for chronic, recurrent, or late onset EDs. However, health care providers generally have not screened for these conditions, and often pursue other medical diagnoses.

Summary

Age does not immunize women from body image preoccupation, weight and shape concerns, disordered eating, and eating disorders.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Community Outreach to Prevent Eating Disorders, 115 E. Granada Blvd., Suite 7, Ormond Beach, FL, 32176, USA

    Karen L. Samuels

  2. Maine & Weinstein Specialty Group, LLC 433 South Main Street, Suite 327, West Hartford, CT, 06110, USA

    Margo M. Maine

  3. Western NY Comprehensive Care Center for Eating Disorders, University of Rochester School of Nursing, Box SON 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, NY, 13642, USA

    Mary Tantillo

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  1. Karen L. Samuels
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  2. Margo M. Maine
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  3. Mary Tantillo
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Correspondence to Karen L. Samuels.

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Karen L. Samuels, Margo M. Maine, and Mary Tantillo each declare no potential conflicts of interest.

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Samuels, K.L., Maine, M.M. & Tantillo, M. Disordered Eating, Eating Disorders, and Body Image in Midlife and Older Women. Curr Psychiatry Rep 21, 70 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11920-019-1057-5

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