A growing number of women are seeking support for eating disorders over the age of 40. We spoke to Silver Linings Foundation mentor and board member, Kathryn Quick, about finding support later in life.
While 90 percent of diagnosed eating disorders begin in adolescence or early adulthood, there is growing evidence that the number of undiagnosed eating disorders affecting older adults is far greater than previously thought.
A 2023 study from Yale School of Medicine reports that almost 3 percent of U.S. women aged 50 to 64, and almost 2 percent of women 65 and older, have an eating disorder. What’s more, a 2021 study published in the Journal of Eating Disorders found that roughly 26 percent of older female participants reported binge eating one or more times a week. The study further speculates that menopause can be a time that leaves women more vulnerable to developing an eating disorder due to changing levels of reproductive hormones which can trigger anxiety and food cravings.
Silver Linings Foundation runs the only eating disorder peer mentor program in Alberta that offers age-appropriate mentorships for those striving for recovery. In line with recent findings, their peer mentor support team has noted a sharp rise in the number of women over the age of 40 reaching out for help in the past 18 months.
“Most of these women have been living with an eating disorder for decades.”
“We have calls coming in daily from women who are older and we always try to accommodate them with a mentor from a similar demographic,” says Silver Linings Peer Mentor Support Lead, Sophie Balisky. “There are many reasons why women decide to reach out for help at this age and we’re just happy to support their recovery in any way we can.”
“I think some of these women have developed an eating disorder in response to hormonal challenges that arise in perimenopause and menopause,” expands Kathryn Quick who has been a mentor with Silver Linings Foundation for 4 years, “but most have been living with an eating disorder for decades.”
Quick lived with her own eating disorder from the age of 16 until she was 30. Now 60, she says she currently has five mentees, all of whom are in their 40s, 50s and 60s. She says providing generationally appropriate mentorship is crucial to providing effective support for all age groups.
“Recovery is worth striving for, no matter what stage of life you’re in.”
“I think one of the most important aspects of the mentor and mentee relationship is finding that common ground in the life experiences that have formed the landscape of the eating disorder. Whether that’s family dynamics, career trajectory, relationships or whatever. Feeling understood by someone at your life stage is really important.”
“The mentorship program is really about being an ally,” she continues. “For mentees to be able to talk to someone openly about that lived experience and speak their true voice out loud, without judgment or shame is really empowering and an important step in that recovery journey.”
Quick’s own recovery was, by her own admission, “part luck.”
“We really didn’t have resources like this 30 or 40 years ago so my own recovery took a long time and I missed out on a lot because I was dealing with this eating disorder every minute of every day,” she recalls. “That’s why I wanted to get involved with the mentorship program, to make a difference in someone else’s life.”
Mentorship isn’t a replacement for or alternative to therapy, but offers an opportunity to connect with someone who has lived experience of an eating disorder and, most importantly, recovery.
“Recovery is not a straight line but it is possible, even for someone who has lived with an eating disorder for decades,” says Quick. “For someone who’s hidden [their eating disorder] for 40 years, it can take a while to take the lid off,” she adds, “but when you get there, it means freedom. Freedom around food, freedom from shame, freedom from negative self talk. It’s worth striving for, no matter what stage of life you’re in.”
Silver Linings Foundation is Alberta’s eating disorder resource, dedicated to advocacy and recovery. Our team are experts in the field of youth and adult mental health.
We offer online and in-person programs for teenagers and adults in eating disorder recovery as well as support for parents and loved ones caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Need help? Reach out to our team or find information on programs and resources.
Silver Linings Foundation is Alberta’s eating disorder resource, dedicated to advocacy and recovery. Our team are experts in the field of youth and adult mental health.
We offer online and in-person programs for teenagers and adults in eating disorder recovery as well as support for parents and loved ones caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Need help? Reach out to our team here. Or find information on programs and resources here.