Addressing Eating Disorders in Midlife

February 24 – March 2, 2025

If you or someone you know has an eating disorder and is in need of help, contact the National Alliance for Eating Disorders’ helpline Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET at  866-662-1235 or the ANAD helpline Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET, at  888-375-7767.

Eating disorder research, resources, and tailored treatment options for women aged 40-60 remain limited even though women in midlife are at risk for and experience eating disorders. Explore the information below to understand the basics of eating disorders, learn about considerations for women in midlife, and find helpful resources for you or a loved one.

The Impact of Eating Disorders

• About 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Compared to men, women are up to five times more likely to be diagnosed and 1.5 times more likely to be treated for an eating disorder.
• Eating disorders are serious mental and physical health conditions that can greatly affect a person’s short- and long-term health.
• The most common eating disorder in the U.S. is OSFED (other specified feeding or eating disorder), affecting 3.82% of women in their lifetime, followed by binge eating disorder, affecting 2.7% of women, and bulimia nervosa, affecting 1.36% of women.
• Social pressures, unrealistic beauty standards, and mental health issues such as anxiety and depression can play major roles in the development of eating disorders.
• Eating disorders affect people of all ages, racial and ethnic backgrounds, sexual orientations, body shapes, ability levels, and socioeconomic statuses.

Eating Disorders Versus Disordered Eating

What Are Eating Disorders? 

Eating disorders are mental and physical health conditions that involve serious changes to regular eating behavior and related thoughts. These changes can include strong concerns or obsessions with food or one’s body, weight, or shape; eating much less than usual; uncontrollable overeating; and harmful repetitive behavior, which may include self-induced vomiting, misusing laxatives or other medicines, fasting, and excessive exercise.

Common eating disorders include:

• Anorexia Nervosa: eating very little or not at all leading to unhealthy weight loss often due to a fear of gaining weight and possibly seeing oneself as overweight.
• Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID): eating a very little amount and/or a small variety of food due to a lack of interest in eating, sensory sensitivity, and/or a fear of negative consequences such as choking and vomiting. Unlike many other eating disorders, ARFID is not related to fears of weight gain or struggles with body image.
• Binge Eating Disorder: eating large amounts of food in a short time and often feeling guilty or out of control afterward. Binge eating disorder is also associated with eating after feeling full, eating even when not hungry, and eating alone.
• Bulimia Nervosa: eating a lot of food at once (bingeing) and then trying to get rid of the food or weight gain by throwing up, fasting, taking laxatives, or exercising too much.
• Other Specified Feeding and Eating Disorder (OSFED): a diagnosis for people whose symptoms don’t fully meet the requirements of another eating disorder but still experience a serious eating disorder.

Check out this “Mental Health Minute” video explaining eating disorders, from the National Institute of Mental Health:

What Is Disordered Eating? 

Disordered eating includes unhealthy eating habits that don’t fit the diagnosis of an eating disorder but can still harm your health and are associated with intense thoughts around food, weight, and body image. Disordered eating can lead to the development of an eating disorder. 

Examples of disordered eating include:

• Skipping meals or dieting often
• Cutting out certain foods or food groups without a medical reason
• Eating to deal with stress or emotions
• Being overly focused on calories, weight, or eating “perfectly”

Although the eating patterns, body image concerns, and mental health effects of disordered eating often resemble those of eating disorders, individuals with disordered eating do not meet the frequency, severity, or duration required for a clinical diagnosis of an eating disorder.

Disordered eating can be caused by various factors, including:

• Genetics
• Personality traits and mental health
• Social issues
• Traumatic events such as bullying, illnesses or accidents, loss of a loved one, or abuse

Both disordered eating and eating disorders can cause short- and long-term health problems if untreated, such as poor nutrition; heart, bone, and stomach issues; stress; anxiety; depression; and, in serious cases, death. It’s important to seek help and treatment for both disordered eating and eating disorders to avoid serious health issues.

Eating Disorders in Midlife

Key Facts

• Studies show that of women aged 40 and above, between 2-7.7% meet the requirements for an eating disorder diagnosis.
• Midlife transitions, such as menopause, can intensify body image concerns, leading to restrictive eating or binge eating behaviors.

Risk Factors

• Hormonal Shifts: Menopause causes changes in appetite, metabolism, and body composition, which can trigger disordered eating.
• Mental Health: Anxiety, depression, and stress are common in midlife and are closely tied to eating disorders.
• Societal Pressures: Unrealistic beauty standards and the stigma around aging can contribute to midlife body dissatisfaction.
• Physical Health: Eating disorders during midlife can increase risks for poor bone health, sarcopenia and heart disease.

Stigma and Barriers to Treatment

• Many women in midlife feel ashamed or believe eating disorders only affect younger individuals, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.
• Research and resources tailored to older women are limited, creating gaps in care.

Although stigma and barriers exist, treatment and support are available for people of all ages struggling with body image and eating habits. The first step is to speak up and reach out for help. Learn more and find support at the resources below.

• Body Image and Eating Disorders — National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
• Eating Disorders in Midlife – Harvard Medical School
• Eating Disorders in Midlife and Beyond — NEDA
• Eating Disorder Peer Support Groups — National Association of Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders (ANAD)
• Eating Disorders in Older Adults — The Emily Program
• Mid-Life & Beyond Pro-Recovery Support Group — National Alliance for Eating Disorders