A growing number of middle-aged women are suffering from eating disorders, according to a story appearing this week in the Winston-Salem Journal. According to nutritionist Debra Benfield, who was interviewed for the story, "This is a new phenomenon and it's on the increase." According to Benfield, who treats eating and body-weight problems, middle-aged women struggle with eating disorders for one of two reasons. In one case, women who previously had eating disorders and thought they had recovered may relapse due to stress, especially during times of transition (events like divorce, re-entering the workforce, or children leaving home).

In the other case, many women develop eating disorders as they try to fight the natural aging process. Benfield commented on the current social pressure to stay attractive despite age: "In our culture, remaining cute throughout midlife is a problem. & Our mothers didn't stay cute. It was OK to look like a mother when you reached 50. ... Now magazines and other media promote role models that don't fit our physiology. The average woman puts on 15 pounds at midlife, weight that is actually beneficial. The extra weight decreases the risk of broken bones and helps women fight illnesses."

(Source: www2.journalnow.com)

Labels: eating disorder, middle aged women, women

Posted By: Aspen Education Group