Eating disorders in older adults: An overlooked but important issue

When we think about eating disorders, we often picture teenagers or young adults. But these conditions don’t disappear with age, they can persist or even begin later in life, often going unrecognized and untreated.

In fact, up to 20% of women over 60 may experience binge eating disorder (BED). Others may struggle with body dysmorphic disorder (BDD), an intense preoccupation with perceived physical flaws that may be invisible to others. Both conditions can cause emotional distress and lead to serious health consequences.

Why it happens

Later life can bring major changes—retirement, physical aging, grief, or identity shifts—that may trigger or worsen disordered eating. Sometimes, a past eating disorder reappears; in other cases, it may develop for the first time. Unfortunately, the signs in older adults are often overlooked or mistaken for normal aging.

What to watch for

Warning signs include:

·       Eating in secret or avoiding meals with others

·       Sudden weight changes

·       Preoccupation with appearance or body parts

·       Hiding food or feeling guilt after eating

·       Withdrawing from social activities

·       Mood changes like anxiety or depression

Treatment and support

The good news is eating disorders are treatable at any age. Psychotherapy (especially Cognitive Behavioural Therapy or Dialectical Behaviour Therapy), medication (when appropriate), and support from trained dieticians can all help. Guided self-help tools like apps or workbooks may also be effective.

Eating disorders in older adults are more common than many realize and they deserve attention. If you or someone you love is struggling, don’t wait. Talk to a healthcare provider. With the right support, healing is possible at any stage of life.

McMaster Optimal Aging Blog Posts are written by faculty, staff, PhD students, and external collaborators, and are assessed for accuracy by members of the Portal scientific leadership team.

DISCLAIMER: These summaries are provided for informational purposes only. They are not a substitute for advice from your own health care professional. The summaries may be reproduced for not-for-profit educational purposes only. Any other uses must be approved by the McMaster Optimal Aging Portal (info@mcmasteroptimalaging.org)