Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
Learn more about the results we get at Within
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.
It’s a common misconception that only thin, young, white girls and women experience eating disorders. However, eating disorders affect people of all genders, races, sizes, and ages, including the elderly.
Many older adults struggle with eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa (AN), bulimia nervosa (BN), and binge eating disorder (BED). Though a number of unique challenges exist that may make it more difficult to detect—or treat—these issues in elderly patients.
How common are eating disorders among older adults?
Because eating disorders were previously thought only to affect teens and young adults, there is limited research related to eating disorders in older adults. Still, studies have been done show that:1,2
Between 1.8% and 3.8% of independently-living women over the age of 60 have an eating disorder
The average age of older adults with an eating disorder is 68.6 years old
88% of older eating disorder patients are women
Among the patients in one study, anorexia nervosa (AN) was the most common eating disorder, followed by bulimia nervosa (BN). About 60% of elderly people with an eating disorder also had a co-occurring mental health disorder, with the most common being major depression.2
Additionally, elderly individuals with eating disorders typically belong to one of three categories, including:3
People who develop an eating disorder later in life
People who received treatment early in life but have experienced a recurrence
People who have lived with an undiagnosed eating disorder for many years
The first group represents the least common scenario, and these patients may be part of the third group.3 This is consistent with research that has shown the duration of the eating disorder is far longer in elderly patients than in young adults or teens.1
At Within, we treat elderly patients of all ages. If you're struggling with an eating disorder, give us a call today to learn more about remote treatment.
While learning more about eating disorders in the elderly, it's important to understand some subtle technical distinctions that can help clarify specific statistics.
Anorexia is not the same thing as anorexia nervosa. Despite the two often being used interchangeably, anorexia refers simply to a loss of appetite common in older adults. Anorexia nervosarefers to a mental health disorder that involves many other symptoms and related issues.
Anorexia in older women typically leads to diminished food intake, which can be attributed to several things, including the effects of certain medications and loneliness.5 Anorexia nervosa in older patients will stem from a different set of causes, including body image issues and a fixation on body weight, and have different treatment approaches.
That said, both AN and anorexia in elderly women and other patients are dangerous and need to be addressed appropriately.
Signs of elderly anorexia and eating disorders
Many signs of eating disorders and anorexia in senior citizens are similar to those in younger people and should be considered holistically. These signs may include:3
Fear of weight gain
Weight cycling—significant shifts in weight up and down
A significant decrease or increase in weight in a relatively short period
Unfortunately, both eating disorders and anorexia in elderly patients contribute to startling mortality rates. Anorexia is associated with an 83% increased mortality risk.5 Eating disorders in older patients have a mortality rate of 21%, which makes early detection and proper treatment even more important.1
Eating disorders in older patients have a mortality rate of 21%.
Eating disorder triggers specific to the elderly
Many eating disorders develop as maladaptive coping mechanisms for stressful situations or trauma. While these events sadly impact people of all ages, there are some situations more particular to older age and the aging process that can bring on these types of disordered thoughts and behaviors, including:3
Death of family members
Adult children leaving home
Losing a spouse through death or divorce
Acute and chronic infections and other medical conditions
Loss of particular memories, skills, or perceived independence
Signs of aging and associated body dissatisfaction
Increased likelihood of living alone/experiencing loneliness
Less contact with friends or family members, which allows for conditions to be more easily hidden
These stressors and traumatic events can increase the risk of an elderly person either developing an eating disorder or returning to previous disordered eating behaviors as a means of coping and regaining a sense of control.3
Eating disorders in older females and body image
Sadly, it seems that one of the primary drivers of disordered eating in older patients—and particularly older women—are the same types of body image issues that many younger patients contend with. One study found:3
62% of women over the age of 65 reported a desire to lose weight
31% of women over 65 reported dieting
Over 20% of women over 70 reported dieting
Over a 5-year period, 70% of women over 50 reported weight loss, and 13% exhibited eating disorder symptoms
Knowing how common eating disorders are among elderly people can help professionals change the narrative around eating disorders and combat stigma and stereotypes. With more awareness about disordered eating in the older community, more individuals can receive the help they need to recover.
Treatment for elderly anorexia and eating disorders
Because eating disorders have primarily been thought of as teen or young adult disorders, there are well-established treatment guidelines for this population. However, there are no established treatment protocols for addressing the unique needs of the elderly community, as little research has been done on this issue outside of case studies.1
That said, research has indicated that a multidimensional treatment approach proved the best course of action for older adults with eating disorders. This type of approach may include:1,3
Medications for co-occurring psychiatric conditions
Family training for dementia-related eating disorders, such as providing regular snacks or small meals at set times
As with all other individuals who have eating disorders, it’s particularly vital that elderly patients receive high-quality, specialized care from providers who understand their unique needs and can provide comprehensive, integrated care.
Learn about the treatment you'll receive at Within
Though there are barriers to care that affect people from all backgrounds and identities, some are distinct to the elderly population, such as:3
Feeling they won't relate to younger people in group counseling
Greater stigma around seeking care
Challenges around mobility or transportation
Living alone and not experiencing regular support or concern from others about their symptoms
Heartbreakingly, many senior patients also decline to seek out care for any type of condition when they feel they're toward the end of their life, citing concerns with quality of life, "not wanting to be a nuisance," "having nothing to live for," and "having lived long enough."4
These treatment barriers may prevent elderly individuals from receiving specialized eating disorder treatment designed to address their individual needs, health, and situation. And without timely eating disorder treatment, this community is at risk of experiencing many dangers to their health.
Unique challenges for assessment and treatment
While patients may face some barriers to treatment, healthcare professionals also play a role in how these conditions are assessed, diagnosed, and treated.
Eating disorders can go unnoticed in older patients due to the high number of co-occurring conditions this population usually experiences and their higher likelihood of taking medications, which can cause overlapping symptoms. For example, doctors may perceive anorexia in elderly patients as an effect of medication as opposed to part of an eating disorder.
Still, provider vigilance can help lead to earlier eating disorder diagnoses, which is overall better for a patient's health and long-term outlook.3 With the right kind of attention and thoughtful care, it's possible for any patient to overcome these conditions.
Disclaimer about "overeating": Within Health hesitatingly uses the word "overeating" because it is the term currently associated with this condition in society, however, we believe it inherently overlooks the various psychological aspects of this condition which are often interconnected with internalized diet culture, and a restrictive mindset about food. For the remainder of this piece, we will therefore be putting "overeating" in quotations to recognize that the diagnosis itself pathologizes behavior that is potentially hardwired and adaptive to a restrictive mindset.
Disclaimer about weight loss drugs: Within does not endorse the use of any weight loss drug or behavior and seeks to provide education on the insidious nature of diet culture. We understand the complex nature of disordered eating and eating disorders and strongly encourage anyone engaging in these behaviors to reach out for help as soon as possible. No statement should be taken as healthcare advice. All healthcare decisions should be made with your individual healthcare provider.
Lapid, M. I., Prom, M. C., Burton, M. C., McAlpine, D. E., Sutor, B., & Rummans, T. A. (2010). Eating disorders in the elderly.International Psychogeriatrics, 22, 523-536.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpeg)
