Eating Disorders in Midlife and Beyond
One of the most common myths about eating disorders is that they only occur in teens and young adults (read our blog on eating disorder myths if you missed it). According to a 2019 study in JAMA Network Open, approximately one in five women and one in seven men have dealt with an eating disorder by the time they are 40, which is double the incidence for both women and men at age 21. What accounts for this rise in eating disorders as people get older? Dig into the research with us.
In a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders, the risks of eating disorders often advance with age rather than disappearing. Anorexia diagnoses usually level out around age 26, while bulimia is around age 47, and binge eating disorder can be persistent, continuing to age 70 and beyond.
Likely the eating disorder is a problem that has flown under the radar for many years, and the transition into midlife or other life transitions can bring these problems to the forefront, requiring attention. Given our society’s focus on thinness being associated with youth and good looks, as people age, they may attempt to lose weight in order to continue competing in the workplace or in the dating world, if they find themselves newly single.
Changes in hormones related to the transition to menopause can also increase eating disorder risks. In Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition, Dr. Gaudiani argues that this time brings a high risk for eating disorder development or relapse. While menopause is a normal experience, there is a consistent association between menopause and negative body image (Vincent et al. 2023). There is a rise in terms like ‘perimenopausal eating disorders’ indicating the impact that aging has on eating disorder diagnoses (Mangweth-Matzek and Hoek, 2017).
How can you spot an eating disorder in midlife, either in yourself or a friend or loved one? Pay attention to signs and symptoms that are new. Your friend might be exercising more now that she’s an empty nester, but if it becomes an obsessive focus where she’s canceling plans with you so she doesn’t miss a workout, this is a red flag. A new or consuming fixation on calories, nutrition labels, avoidance of social events, fear of weight gain, or other physical symptoms including mood swings, feeling cold all the time, or dizziness upon standing may be signs to pay attention to.
The team at Namaste Nourished can help you or your loved one if there are any questions. We are experts in eating disorders and disordered eating, but we are also experts in hormone health, and how the body and its needs change over a lifetime. Whether you need support or you want to help a friend or loved one find the support they need to live a happier life that includes eating delicious food without restriction, we are here to help. Reach out to us today to learn more or schedule an appointment. You deserve to live your best life!
References
Gaudiani, Jennifer L. Sick Enough: A Guide to the Medical Complications of Eating Disorders and Undernutrition. Routledge, 2025.
Mangweth-Matzek, B, & Hoek, HW (2017). Epidemiology and treatment of eating disorders in men and women of middle and older age. Current opinion in psychiatry, 30(6), 446–451. https://doi.org/10.1097/YCO.0000000000000356
Salamon, M. (2022, December 1). Eating disorders in midlife. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/womens-health/eating-disorders-in-midlife
Vincent, C, Bodnaruc, AM, Prud’homme, D, Olson, V, & Giroux, I. Associations between menopause and body image: A systematic review. Women’s Health, 19, https://doi.org/10.1177/17455057231209536
Ward, ZJ, Rodriguez, P, Wright, DR, Austin, SB, & Long, MW. Estimation of Eating Disorders Prevalence by Age and Associations With Mortality in a Simulated Nationally Representative US Cohort. JAMA Network Open. 2019;2(10):e1912925. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2019.12925