Our relationship with food and body evolves throughout life, shaped by personal experiences, societal influences, and major life transitions. While eating disorders are often associated with adolescence and young adulthood, they can emerge or resurface at any stage. Midlife, in particular, brings unique shifts—hormonal changes, evolving roles and identities, body changes, and shifts in self-perception—that can make these struggles more complex yet less openly discussed. Too often, individuals in this phase find themselves navigating disordered eating or body distress without recognition or support.

As life evolves, so do the challenges that shape our emotional and psychological well-being. Midlife can bring profound transitions—grief, shifting family roles, career changes, evolving relationships, and the physiological realities of aging. Although eating disorders in midlife remain under-recognized, research highlights their prevalence. Studies indicate that 73% of midlife women experience dissatisfaction with their weight, a significant risk factor for the development or persistence of disordered eating patterns (Williams et al., 2019). The pressure to conform to societal expectations around appearance, health, and productivity can compound these stressors, sometimes reigniting or intensifying disordered eating patterns. Despite these realities, many individuals hesitate to seek help, believing they should have “outgrown” these struggles or fearing that their concerns will not be taken seriously.

This year, National Eating Disorders Awareness (NEDA) Week calls attention to these often-overlooked experiences with the theme: “Break the Silence, Embrace Healing.” It is a powerful reminder that eating disorders are not a phase, nor are they limited to a specific age group. Healing is possible at any stage of life, and no one is ever beyond the reach of support and recovery.

Understanding Eating Disorders in Midlife

Eating disorders in midlife often present differently than in younger populations. Some individuals may be navigating newly emerging disordered eating behaviors, while others may be confronting longstanding patterns that have resurfaced under life stressors. Physiological and hormonal changes, combined with deeply ingrained societal messages about aging, can make these experiences particularly complex.

Common presentations include:

• Restriction or rigid food rules masked as clean eating or wellness
• Compulsive exercise framed as an obligation rather than a form of mindful, intuitive movement
• Binge eating or emotional eating as a way to manage stress, grief, or major life changes
• Body image distress intensified by age-related changes and societal pressure
• Secretive eating behaviors or feelings of shame around food choices

These behaviors are often reinforced by a culture that equates youth with worthiness and morality with food choices, making it difficult for individuals to recognize when their relationship with food has become harmful.

A Conversation on Self-Discovery: Betsy Brenner’s Story

On Herstory On a Plate podcast, we had the privilege of speaking with Betsy Brenner, who shared her powerful journey of navigating an eating disorder in midlife. Her story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the reality that it is never too late to reclaim your relationship with food, your body, and yourself.

Betsy’s experience highlights how unresolved emotional wounds, grief, and perfectionism can shape disordered eating patterns—even decades after they first emerge. Through self-compassion, professional support, and community, she found a path toward healing, proving that seeking help is not a sign of failure, but of courage.

Breaking the Silence: A Path Forward

If you or someone you love is experiencing disordered eating in midlife, know that your experience is valid, and support is available. Eating disorders thrive in isolation, but healing happens in connection.

• Therapeutic support can help explore the underlying emotional and psychological factors driving disordered eating behaviors.
• Nutritional guidance from a non-diet, weight-neutral perspective can help redefine one’s relationship with food.
• Community and group support create a space for shared experiences, meaningful connection, and peer support.

At Metro Behavioral Health Associates, we work with clients of all ages and at every stage of life. We recognize that challenges with food, body image, and self-perception can arise in many forms and at different points in one’s journey. Our team is made up of providers with specialized expertise in navigating these midlife complexities. We offer compassionate, personalized care that addresses immediate concerns while creating space for deeper exploration and lasting growth.

Whether you are looking to better understand your relationship with food or explore the underlying emotional and psychological aspects of body image, our team is here to help. No matter where you are in your journey, you deserve support that is tailored to your unique needs. If you’d like to learn more or schedule a consultation, we’re here to support you—feel free to contact us at (914) 723-6242 or [email protected].

Sources

• Williams, R., Germov, J., & Young, A. (2019). The effect of social class on midlife women’s weight control practices and weight gain. Appetite, 135, 56–63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2018.12.003

Additional Resources:

• National Eating Disorders Association. (n.d.). Eating Disorders Awareness Week. https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/edaw/
• Betsy Brenner. (n.d.). Author, Speaker, Peer Support Mentor. https://betsybrenner.com
• Herstory on a Plate Podcast. (n.d.). Episode Archive.https://bodypeacepodcast.com/episodes/