More Women In Their 30s And 40s Are Battling Eating Disorders

Eating disorders aren’t just a teenage thing—they can happen at any age. Over the past decade, the number of women over age 30 who suffer from eating disorders has increased significantly. And peeps at the Eating Disorders Program in North Carolina have seen a 400 percent increase in patients 40-and-older since the 1990s. So what’s going on?

Eating disorders tend to come about during transitional periods, like starting college or joining the workforce. But middle-aged life can be pretty rough, too. Women are getting married, having kids, changing jobs, and buying houses. Docs have even seen a lot of chicks who suffer from eating disorders before, during, or after pregnancy. Many middle-aged women who seek help for their disorders have been struggling with this weighty issue for years. Unlike teenagers, most adults don’t need to be coerced into getting treatment—they tend to seek help on their own.

Eating disorders are a problem at any age, but for women over 30 they can really eff up family life. A mother with an eating disorder is setting a bad example for her children. Problems like this can also strain marriages and tear a family apart. So ladies, get help if you have a problem, no matter how old (or young) you are! [NY Times]