Eating disorders can affect middle aged, research shows

Research published in BMC Medicine has warned that eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, can affect women even in their 40s and 50s.

The study, involving more than 5,000 women, found just over three per cent had reported having an eating disorder, with come claiming they had been affected in their teens and others affected after the age of 40.

Dr Nadia Micali, lead author of the study, said: "Many of the women who took part in this study told us this was the first time they had ever spoken about their eating difficulties, so we need to understand why many women did not seek help."

Tom Quinn from the mental health charity Beat, added: “Stereotypically, the world sees people with eating disorders as young.

"When we reinforce stereotypes we also add to the stigma of these serious mental health illnesses and this stigma can prevent individuals coming forward to seek help - a dangerous path to take when the chance of full and fast recovery is vastly improved when treatment is found quickly."

"Last year, 15 per cent of calls to our helpline were about someone over the age of 40 and this research from Dr Micali only goes to further support the importance of providing an appropriate treatment pathway for individuals with eating disorders at all ages."