Eating Disorders Across the Life Span

SUMMARY

Eating disorders have traditionally been considered afflictions of adolescents and young women. Recent evidence, however, suggests that eating disorders often occur across the life span. Although the incidence of these disorders among mid-life and older women appears to be on the rise, it is not clear if this reflects a true increase in prevalence, better recognition among clinicians, or both. This paper presents an overview of the etiology and treatment of eating disorders, with particular emphasis on developmental factors impacting older women. Recommendations for the treatment of eating disorders among older women are offered. An emerging clinical literature suggests various lines of research that are needed to explore the development and treatment of eating disorders in older women.

KEYWORDS:

• Eating disorder
• women
• aging
• bulimia
• anorexia
• binge eating