Eating Disorder Common in Mid-Aged Women

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What is eating disorder? According to the DSM-5, feeding and eating disorder is distinguished as a constant interruption in eating and eating behaviors that lead to a psychological problem. Usually, this impairment directs to physical wellbeing and social involvement which creates feelings of unworthiness, lack of confidence and depression. A number of disorders were found under the umbrella of an eating disorder. These include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating, purging, pica, rumination and avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder.

Traditionally, the eating disorder was believed to be observed among the teenaged women. However, a study in the UK regarding people with an eating disorder was conducted to middle-aged women ranging from 40-50 years old. According to the researchers, 3 percent of the 5000 participants show positive signs of eating disorder. BBC News reported that some of these women have had experienced it in their teenage years while others had the first experience during their middle-aged years. The researchers had also look through the parenting and personality risk factors of the participants as stated by NHS Choices. In addition to that, BAAGHI reported that Julie Spinks, 48 years old and a resident of Beaconsfield had shared her first-hand experience with the disorder when she was 44.

"It was a complete shock at the time," Spinks said. "I knew that I was restricting my food but I didn't ever think that I had anorexia. I'd been really unhappy at work and had very low self-esteem. To begin with, I just thought I had lost my appetite," she added.

At the time, Spinks felt depressed and unworthiness. She had also associated food to exercise when she had noticed that she was burning 500 calories which have the same amount of calorie in chocolate. In conclusion, Spinks started to seek mental help when she had the breakdown at work. The doctor told her that she was going through anorexia nervosa and depression.