Profile of 50 Women with Midlife-Onset Eating Disorders

Abstract

The aim of this study was to present a detailed profile of 50 women eating disorder (ED) inpatients who reported first ED onset at age 40 or above. We assessed patients' sociodemographics, severity-of-illness, comorbid diagnoses, personality profiles, and short-term treatment outcomes. Compared to patients of more traditional young adult ages, results revealed unique features of midlife-onset ED inpatients, including less severe and less common self-reported ED symptomology measured by the EDI-2; a predominance of pure restricting behaviors and rarity of bulimia; similar rates of co-occurring depression and anxiety but of less severity; fewer substance use disorders with a predominance of sedating/calming substance usage; many fewer Cluster C diagnoses on Axis II; substantially greater histories of sexual abuse; and different MMPI-2 profiles emphasizing much greater denial. The corresponding needs among midlife-onset ED inpatients for specialized assessment and treatment interventions are considered.

Factors associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in women in midlife

“…Hay et al 14 found that regular episodes of binging, purging and strict dieting or fasting were reported by 18.5, 21.2, and 17.1% respectively in men and women aged 35-44 years, and by 17.4, 28.6, and 21.4% respectively in men and women aged 45-54 years. In addition, diagnoses of eating disorders with onset in midlife are being reported, 15,16 with some research showing a higher prevalence of binge eating disorder in women in midlife (8.5%) compared with early adulthood (3.3%). 17 Although body dissatisfaction and disordered eating occur frequently in women in midlife, little is known about variables associated with these attitudes and behaviors.…”

Restrained eating and self-esteem in premenopausal and postmenopausal women

“…So far, few studies have investigated disordered eating in women between the ages of 40 and around 65 years [6], although health professionals have recently begun to focus their attention on disordered eating among this age group [7]. Admissions of middleaged women to eating disorder inpatient treatment has increased over the last ten years [8,9].…”

Eating Disorders in Late-life

“…However, the rates of purging (laxative abuse) was found to be higher among patients with late-life eating disorder, probably because mature people are more likely to know the existence of laxative drugs and the access to these substances is easier for them [71]. It has been demonstrated that a high percentage of individuals presenting late-life eating disorders reported comorbid depression and anxiety [72]. General complications of late-life eating disorders are the same of early (typical) onset, even though some case series reported less severe eating disorder symptoms in terms of weight, fear of food and body image [73], as well as less substance abuse, selfharming behaviours and suicide attempts [74].…”