Anorexia in Adults

Eating disorders are widely associated with their devastating effects on girls. Yo-yo dieting, anorexia, bulimia...battling these disorders can be a life-or-death struggle for developing bodies.

Now doctors and nutritionists are seeing a sharp rise in adults with eating disorders. Some of these middle-aged women have been struggling with food their entire lives, while others are facing disorders for the first time at the age of 40, 50 and beyond.

Dr. Cynthia Bulik told us more about this troubling trend. She is a distinguished professor and direcor of the University of North Carolina’s eating disorders program. Her clinic used to see just one adult patient at a time. Now, nearly half of those walking through the doors are in mid-life.

Dr. Cynthia Bulik's latest book, Crave: Why You Binge Eat and How to Stop

The New York Times: When Eating Disorders Strike in Midlife

(Photo courtesy Santy Ago via Flickr/Creative Commons