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July 2015 | Read this issue and more at www.healthandwellnessmagazine.net |
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Older Women Battle
Eating Disorders
Adult developmental issues could
trigger unhealthy behaviors
By Jamie Lober, Staff Writer
Eating disorders affect a whole
gamut of people, though it is often
unrecognized that older women face
them, too.
“The picture that comes to mind is
generally adolescent or college-aged
girls, but we never think of someone
35, 40, 60, 70 or older having an eating disorder,” said Dr. Margo Maine,
clinical psychologist and past president of the National Eating Disorders
Association.
It is unclear whether the increase
in adult women with eating disorders
is an actual increase or just the result
of more people becoming aware and
accessing help. “I think the generation of older women has lived with
negative messages about their bodies,
the role of appearance in a woman’s
self-esteem and the pressures from
the diet and fashion industries,” said
Maine.
Women are influenced by this
culture. “The pattern is that some
women had sub-clinical disordered
eating and body image issues their
whole lives and they erupt into bigger problems in mid-life,” said Maine.
“Others had an eating disorder when
they were younger, got better and
relapsed.”
The number of older women
developing eating disorders for the
first time is small. “Mid-life is similar
to adolescence because bodies are
going through or getting ready for
menopause,” Maine said. “The
psychological issues are changing.
In puberty you have new pressures
from other people sexually, socially,
academically [while] trying to define
yourself and figure out who you will
be in this world.” In mid-life, there are
adult developmental issues to handle.
For instance, you could be in a stable
marriage and then your partner leaves
you. Your parents could be aging or
ill and you assume the role of a caretaker, or you may be facing an empty
nest.
It is important to find ways to cope
with changes other than dieting and
exercising. “Women think if they get
their body under control, everything
else will be fine, but it can slowly turn
into an eating disorder,” said Maine.
Culture teaches women if they look
okay, they will be okay. “Culture says
if you control your body you will be
seen as a stronger and more