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Anorexia and Aging: Is
There a Silent Crisis of Eating Disorders in Older
Women?
Pamela
Cytrynbum, Family Goes Strong
February 25, 2012
Expert: "Eating disorders
are the deadliest mental illnesses and premature
death is very common."
It's National Eating Disorders Awareness Week from
Feb. 26 – March 3. There is a lot of helpful
information available on how younger and younger kids
are struggling with eating disorders, how 5-year-old
girls are complaining they are "fat," and how boys are
now struggling in significant numbers with one of the
deadliest mental illnesses there is.
What you probably have not read, seen or heard much
about is the increase in eating disorders among
older people, particularly women. There was so little
information, in fact, that I checked in with the folks
at Eating Recovery Center, where I have gotten a lot
of expert advice on eating disorders. Turns out, they
are seeing a real upswing in cases of older people
struggling with eating disorders and thought it was a
great topic to explore.
Dr. Emmett Bishop, MD, FAED, CEDS, founding partner
and medical director of adult services at Eating
Recovery Center, was kind enough to take time to help
educate me – and now you – on this silent but
significant issue.
Q: What do we know
about the numbers of eating disorders among the
adult/aging population? (Any numbers and age
breakdowns would be helpful for context.)
Dr. Bishop:
"Unfortunately, data is limited in this area. In fact,
I'm not aware of any data that specifically speaks to
the adult/aging population. At Eating Recovery Center,
we have been particularly interested in this because
of the upsurge of patients we have seen here. A 2006
study published in the International Journal of Eating
Disorders found that among a randomly selected
nonclinical sample of 1,000 women, aged 60–70 years,
more than 80 percent controlled their weight and more
than 60 percent stated body dissatisfaction. Eighteen
women met criteria for eating disorders and 21
reported single symptoms of an eating disorder."
Q: What are the myths surrounding eating disorders in
older people and what are the facts? (to dispel the
myths)
Dr. Bishop:
"The biggest myth is that this group does not have
eating disorders. Although this group has flown under
the radar, we are seeing quite a few women in
treatment in their 40s, 50s and 60s. We even recently
treated an 80-year-old woman."
Q: Describe the
signs/symptoms family members should look for,
especially in their elderly relatives and friends.
Dr. Bishop: "The
signs and symptoms of an eating disorder are very
similar to what you would see in the younger group:
weight loss, avoiding situations where food will be
available, excessive exercise, obsessions with
calories and weight, using the bathroom directly after
a meal and becoming more secretive or withdrawn. The
biggest problem I have seen with the older group is
people "blowing off" symptoms because the individual
displaying them has behaved that way for a long time.
Oftentimes, friends and family will say "that's just
the way she is" until they see their loved one begin
to develop medical complications."
Q: If you suspect an
older loved one has an eating disorder, what should
you do?
Dr. Bishop: "We
see a lot of middle-aged patients entering treatment
on their own because they feel like they are bad role
models for their teenaged daughters. Many elderly
individuals will seek treatment once they have
experienced a medical complication. The goal is to
help them get treatment before medical issues happen.
If you are worried, try to find a neutral setting in
which to speak with your loved one. Express your
concerns using non-judgmental language. Point out
behaviors that you have noticed but do your best not
to blame or shame. Offer to help your loved one seek
treatment from a qualified professional. If expressing
your concerns does not work, try to get as many people
as you can together, express your concerns for your
loved one's health and try to get him or her into
treatment."
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