![\"Anonymous](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Disroders-6868611.jpg\" "\\"Anonymous")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Experts fear a rise in midlife eating disorders (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Eating disorders are on the rise among midlife women. Clinics are reporting a sharp increase in eating disorders among women in their forties, fifties and sixties. Latest figures suggest that around 3-4% of midlife women currently have an eating disorder, while about 15% report having experienced one at some point in their lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen a noticeable rise in eating disorders among midlife women (aged 40-60) in the UK, particularly over the last five years since the pandemic, this pattern has continued,\u201d says Dr Joanna Silver, Lead Psychological Therapist at Orri, a specialist eating disorder treatment clinic in London that offers outpatient, day care and virtual programmes.<\/p>\n
Research into specialist adult eating disorder services suggests referrals have risen by 21% since the Covid<\/a>-19 pandemic. \u201cIt\u2019s difficult to say whether more people are developing eating disorders, or whether more people are now seeking help,\u201d Dr Silver admits. Eating disorders are serious mental health conditions that can affect people of any age. Conditions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa can have severe consequences for both physical and emotional health.<\/p>\n Read more: I\u2019m a skincare expert \u2014 look for 2 things on sunscreen bottles to avoid cancer <\/a><\/p>\n Read more: Cholesterol superfoods for heart health \u2014 doctor names 6 best fish <\/a><\/p>\n Psychologist Dr Joanna Silver has seen rising numbers of middle-aged women with eating disorders (Image: Courtesy Dr Joanna Silver)<\/p>\n Anorexia nervosa is characterised by an intense fear of gaining weight and a distorted body image. Someone with anorexia may severely restrict food intake, exercise excessively or use laxatives in an attempt to keep their weight as low as possible. Bulimia nervosa involves cycles of binge eating followed by purging behaviours such as self-induced vomiting or the misuse of diuretics or laxatives.<\/p>\n Eating disorders in midlife<\/p>\n Although eating disorders are often associated with teenagers, they can also emerge later in life. A study published in the International Journal of Eating Disorders involving 703 women found that midlife women were more likely to develop binge eating disorder than anorexia nervosa. In binge eating disorder, individuals consume large quantities of food but do not engage in purging behaviours.<\/p>\n Other conditions seen in midlife include Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorders (OSFED), which include atypical anorexia and orthorexia. Atypical anorexia involves severe food restriction similar to anorexia nervosa, but without the significant weight loss usually associated with the condition. Orthorexia describes a rigid obsession with eating only foods perceived as healthy or clean.<\/p>\n Difficulties with control, anxiety and body image can make people more susceptible to eating disorders. In midlife, triggers may include hormonal changes during perimenopause and menopause, relationship shifts and major life transitions.<\/p>\n \u201cEating disorders in midlife don\u2019t tend to come out from nowhere,\u201d explains Dr Silver. \u201cThere may have been something in the past, and then it rears its head again. Usually when there\u2019s been a big life change \u2013 children leaving home, career stress, caring for elderly relatives, bereavement, relationship changes, divorce, or worries about ageing. The pandemic was also a stressful time when many people felt disconnected and out of control.\u201d<\/p>\n Emotions and food<\/p>\n Although eating disorders revolve around food, they are rarely just about eating. \u201cWhile eating disorders may look like they\u2019re about food, they\u2019re actually a way of managing feelings,\u201d says Dr Silver. \u201cIt\u2019s all about controlling emotions through food. That\u2019s a pattern many women may have fallen into in their teens \u2013 and then it comes up again for them in midlife.\u201d<\/p>\n Restricting food, binge eating or purging can become ways of coping with difficult emotions, particularly when life feels overwhelming or unpredictable. Women who struggle to express emotions may be especially vulnerable. \u201cWomen who find it hard to express their emotions, who believe it is weak to cry, or ask for help, are also more susceptible. They may have grown up in a family where they learnt to suppress feelings, to avoid conflict, and emotions were never discussed.\u201d<\/p>\n Eating disorders revolve around food… but they’re rarely just about eating (Image: Getty) Eating disorder signs to look out for Increased isolation or withdrawal from social activities;Avoiding situations that involve food;Spending excessive time thinking about food or exerciseWearing baggy clothes;Moving food around the plate without eating;Frequent bathroom visits after meals;Physical symptoms may include fatigue, low mood, pale skin, thinning hair or reduced energy.Personality patterns<\/p>\n There is no single personality type linked to eating disorders, but certain traits appear more frequently. \u201cThere is a link, for example, between perfectionism and people who have eating disorders,\u201d says Dr Silver. \u201cAlso, people who are high achievers. I see a lot of the women who are well put together, they have successful jobs, children, relationships, and to the outside world they look healthy \u2013 but, inside they\u2019re struggling, because they put these huge expectations on themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds that women who prioritise the needs of others may also be at greater risk. \u201cAlso, women who always look after everyone else\u2019s needs, the type that everyone turns to with a problem, are also more at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n However, personality traits alone do not cause eating disorders. \u201cBut people can be perfectionists or high achievers, and they don\u2019t have eating disorders. It\u2019s more likely a combination of genetics and your environment. It\u2019s about being a vulnerable person, in the wrong place, at the wrong time.\u201d<\/p>\n Research supports this idea. A review published in the Journal of Clinical Psychology in 2022 found that personality traits such as neuroticism were linked with a higher risk of disordered eating behaviours including binge eating and emotional eating.<\/p>\n \u201cUpbringing and early relationships with caregivers also shapes how we relate to other people – and to food,\u201d says Dr Silver. \u201cFamily attitudes towards weight, dieting and appearance can leave a lasting impression.\u201d<\/p>\n Comments about body shape, even when meant jokingly, can also have an impact. \u201cFor example, seemingly harmless comments, and often said in jest, such as \u2018a second on the lips, a lifetime on the hips\u2019 or \u2018you can never be too thin\u2019 can also have an impact.\u201d<\/p>\n For some women, traumatic experiences may also play a role. Childhood trauma, including sexual abuse, has been linked to higher risks of binge eating and purging disorders.<\/p>\n Neurodivergent conditions are being linked by research to eating disorders (Image: Getty)Eating disorders and neurodivergence<\/p>\n Emerging research suggests a connection between eating disorders and neurodivergent conditions such as autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). A study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders in 2024 found people with autism or ADHD may have a higher risk of developing eating disorders and may experience symptoms for longer.<\/p>\n Research from the PEACE Pathway for Eating Disorders and Autism suggests that around 35% of people experiencing an eating disorder may be autistic.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people with autism and ADHD struggle with impulse control and emotional regulation, which can make eating disorder behaviours feel protective and soothing when they feel overwhelmed,\u201d says Dr Silver.<\/p>\n \u201cWith autism there is also a link with a very specific type of eating disorder: Avoidant and Restrictive Eating Disorder (ARFID).\u201d<\/p>\n ARFID involves a very limited diet, but unlike anorexia it is not driven by body image or weight concerns.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is where people will have a very limited range of foods – not to change their body, or control their weight \u2013 but, due to sensory sensitivities, such as discomfort with certain textures, smells and the feeling of fullness.\u201d<\/p>\n She adds that ARFID is sometimes misdiagnosed. \u201cA lot of people with ARFID get misdiagnosed with anorexia, which means they don\u2019t get the treatment they need. It is really important for clinicians to recognise if someone is neurodivergent, as treatment may need to be adapted so that their needs are met.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re definitely learning more and this has real implications for more tailored and effective care.\u201d<\/p>\n Signs something may be wrong<\/p>\n \u201cEating disorders aren\u2019t always obvious,\u201d says Dr Silver. \u201cSome people with an eating disorder maintain a normal weight.\u201d Changes in behaviour may provide clues that someone is struggling. \u201cIf you\u2019re concerned about someone, it can help to say things like \u2013 \u2018I\u2019ve noticed you don\u2019t seem to be going out much lately. Do you want to talk about how you\u2019re feeling?\u2019 Speaking gently and not being critical can make it easier to encourage someone to seek help.\u201d<\/p>\n Treatment and support<\/p>\n \u201cEating disorders can have severe consequences for both physical and mental health,\u201d says Dr Silver. \u201cThey can affect the heart, hormones, brain and function and overall wellbeing.\u201d If left untreated they can also affect relationships, work and quality of life. However, recovery is possible. \u201cSo, it\u2019s crucial to get help. Recovery may take time, but it is possible.\u201d<\/p>\n Where to seek help<\/p>\n Speak to your GP, who can refer you to an eating disorder specialist or multidisciplinary team. For support contact BEAT, the UK eating disorders charity. For information on outpatient, day care and virtual treatment options, contact a specialist eating disorder treatment clinic Orri via orri-uk.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Experts fear a rise in midlife eating disorders (Image: Getty) Eating disorders are on the rise among midlife…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":541864,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[157671,186757,186756,11789,59,102,186755,186758,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-541863","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-health","8":"tag-anorexia","9":"tag-anorexia-nervosa","10":"tag-dr-joanna-silver","11":"tag-eating-disorders","12":"tag-gb","13":"tag-health","14":"tag-midlife-eating-disorders","15":"tag-neurodivergence-and-eating-disorders","16":"tag-uk","17":"tag-united-kingdom","18":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=541863"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/541863\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/541864"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=541863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=541863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=541863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Jo-6868620.jpg\" "\\"Dr")
<\/p>\n![\"Sad](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Scales-6868633.jpg\" "\\"Sad")
<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/fridge-6868640.jpg\" "\\"Young")
<\/p>\n