Factors associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in women in midlife

Abstract

This study provides support for the role of developmentally relevant factors in body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in midlife women.

Eating attitudes and weight concern among Chinese middle-age women: A comparison between different age and BMI groups

“…42 The present survey showed that age did not demonstrate any impact an the scores on the questionnaire EDI, except that the younger group (30)(31)(32)(33)(34)(35)(36)(37)(38)(39) showed significantly higher scores than the middle aged group (40-49) on subscale bulimia on the questionnaire EDI-2. Mclean, Paxton and Wertheim found that in the EDE-Q subscales: the Body Dissatisfaction and disordered eating symptoms were unrelated to age 13 . Johnson and Bedford's study in Canada across gender and age groups, demonstrated that age was partly significantly correlated with the scores on the questionnaire EAT 12 .…”

“…Johnson and Bedford explored that young participants (18-34 years) (both genders) showing significantly high levels of food preoccupation and image preoccupation on the questionnaire EAT, in comparison with those in the 35-64 years group and over 65 years group 12 . Although women in midlife showed frequent Body Dissatisfaction and disordered eating, research on variables related to these attitudes and behaviors was limited 13 . Developmental factors are also likely to be associated with Body Dissatisfaction and disordered eating in midlife 13 .…”

“…Although women in midlife showed frequent Body Dissatisfaction and disordered eating, research on variables related to these attitudes and behaviors was limited 13 . Developmental factors are also likely to be associated with Body Dissatisfaction and disordered eating in midlife 13 . Concern about aging-related changes has been found to be related to Body Dissatisfaction and Drive for Thinness 14,15 .…”

Eating Disorders in Late-life

“…These factors could reduce the attention given to "appearance", body image and aging by the women presenting the above mentioned characteristics [82]. On the contrary, the signs of aging (wrinkles, hair loss, changes to body fat distribution) [83] and the emphasis given to appearance, self-care and body mass index, represent risk factors for body dissatisfaction [84]. The fear of aging has been positively related to disordered/disinhibited eating and drive for thinness in middle-aged women.…”

Ageing, anxiety and appearance: exploring the body image of women in midlife

“…Nearly three quarters of a sample of women over the age of 50 were trying to lose weight and reported using the following extreme behaviours in the previous 5 years: diet pills, excessive exercise, diuretics, laxatives, and vomiting (Gagne et al, 2012). Indeed, research indicates that body dissatisfaction experienced by women in midlife has also been associated with disordered eating (McLean et al, 2010). Nearly a third of a sample comprised of 500 middle-aged women felt dissatisfied with their eating patterns, whilst more than 10% of the women supported the use of restricted eating to control their weight (Marcus et al, 2007).…”