The Silent Struggle of Eating Disorders in People of Age

When we think about eating disorders, many of us imagine teenagers or young adults, but the reality is that anyone can be impacted regardless of age. Eating disorders in older people are often overlooked, but they are a very real and serious issue facing people of age.

Whether it’s a result of ageism in healthcare, the pressure from society to remain youthful looking, or changes in the lives of older adults, eating disorders in older people can be just as serious–if not more so–than eating disorders in younger people.

Misconceptions and Ageism

Unfortunately, there are many misconceptions about eating disorders. One of the most common is that eating disorders only affect young women. The reality is that eating disorders do not discriminate, and anyone can be impacted, including people of age.

Older people can experience ageism, which happens when older adults are discriminated against based on their age. When it comes to healthcare, older people that experience ageism can receive unequal treatment, poorer quality of care and denial of treatment and services, which can lead to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

They can also experience dismissal of issues like depression, because many clinicians view it as a normal part of aging and that older people are beyond treatment. Eating disorders are often underdiagnosed as a result.

This leads to another common misconception that you must be thin to have an eating disorder, which is also not true. In fact, less than 6% of people with eating disorders are medically diagnosed as underweight. People with larger bodies actually have a higher risk of developing an eating disorder at some point in their lives.

Causes, Symptoms, & Consequences of Eating Disorders in Seniors

There is no one cause of eating disorders. They develop as a result of both genetic components and environmental influences, and there are many factors that increase the risk of developing an eating disorder, such as poor body image.

Eating disorders in older people can be either a relapse of having an eating disorder they recovered from at a younger age, a life event happening that triggers one to develop, or they have had an eating disorder they never recovered from that stuck with them as they got older. They can also be a result of having poor body image for most of their life and not developing an eating disorder until they are older.

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), some life-stage-specific events that can increase the risk of developing an eating disorder include:

• Divorce or other relationship problems

• Menopause

• Death of a loved one

• Personal experience of illness or illness in a loved one

• Retirement

• Empty nest

• Age discrimination

• Change in appearance or function of one’s body

• Changes in diet due to medical restrictions or issues with texture, odors, taste

Some people struggle with the challenges of aging, especially with the pressures of our society to always look youthful. This can cause older people to develop strict rituals around food and exercise, which can often become the beginning of an eating disorder.

Symptoms of eating disorders in older people are similar to those seen in younger people, but the reasons behind them and their impact can be quite different. Eating disorders present differently in everyone, but some common signs and symptoms include:

• Significant weight loss or weight gain in a short period of time

• Food restriction

• Rituals or rules around food

• Abusing diuretics or laxatives

• Social isolation

• Mood swings

• Low self-esteem

Anorexia Nervosa is the most common eating disorder developed in the elderly, followed by Bulimia Nervosa and Binge Eating Disorder. While the signs and symptoms are similar to those seen in young people, their consequences can be much more severe due to older bodies inability to bounce back as easily as younger bodies.

The consequences of eating disorders depend on the type experienced, but as we mentioned, older bodies are much more vulnerable than younger bodies. According to the National Council on Aging, the following systems of the body can experience serious complications:

• Musculoskeletal (osteoporosis)

• Gastrointestinal

• Cardiovascular

• Dermatological

• Dental

No matter the type of eating disorder, or the age they are developed, recovery is possible. Seeking help from a trained healthcare professional is crucial in defining what treatment option is best for each person.

Eating disorders and body image issues don’t discriminate, and they don’t have an age limit. While many people picture teens or young adults when we think about these issues, older people are suffering in silence without the support they need and deserve.

By challenging ageism, increasing awareness, and advocating for better screenings by appropriate clinicians, we can help more older adults receive care and support. No one is “too old” to struggle with an eating disorder, and more importantly, no one is too old to recover.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an eating disorder, visit our Helplines and Resources page.