This past week the International Journal of Eating Disorders published research which took a unique perspective featuring women over the age of 50. The research was conducted on 1,849 women through an online survey. Cindy Bulk, who is the director of the eating disorders program at the University of North Carolina was clearly trying to prove a point that eating disorders do not discriminate by age. Stereotypically we all seem to believe that eating disorders affect young women in their teenager years; however, this is far from the truth! The results of the research found that 79% of women over the age of 50 answered that their weight or shape affected their self-perception, 41% checked their body daily, 36% spent at least half of their time in the last five years dieting, and 13.3% reported having symptoms of eating disorders. The roles of women in our culture has morphed and the pressure to be perfect is outstanding. This may be a part of the reason why these women are also afraid to ask and receive help. It is just as crucial for this group of sufferers to receive help as anyone else who is a victim of an eating disorder yet are highly ignored. Please read this article and pass it on to anyone who you believe would benefit.
Hannah, Intern at Eating Disorder Hope
