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HEDS April Membership Meeting: The Overlooked Mid-life Crises: Eating Disorders

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    Join speakers Caryn Honig EdD MEd RD LD and Betsy Brenner as they present “The Overlooked Mid-life Crises: Eating Disorders” at the HEDS April Membership meeting on April 6, at 11:30am. This meeting will be held virtually on zoom.

    Register now

    Description:

    In 1980, the DSM-III debuted Eating Disorders under the rubric of disorders of infancy, childhood, or adolescence.  During that time, eating disorders were defined a disease experienced by white, middle to upper class young females.  Our understanding of these illnesses continues to expand and evolve. We now know that eating disorders are equal opportunity offenders which affect people of all genders, ages, races, ethnicities, body shapes and weights, sexual orientations, and socioeconomic statuses.

    One group of eating disorder sufferers that is often overlooked is the middle age population.  Those who experience eating disorders in mid-life typically fall into three categories:

    1. Those who developed eating disorders earlier in life, and it has reemerged in mid-life;
    2. Those whose eating disorder is experienced as a chronic condition and;
    3. Those who develop an eating disorder later in life.

    There are many factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders in mid-life including (but not limited to):

    1. The physiological and psychological changes that happen during the aging process.
    2. The backdrop of America’s youth-oriented culture, which embraces the ideas that aging, excess weight, and sagging bodies must be fought at any cost.
    3. Changes in life including children leaving home (or moving back in) as well as parents, family and friends experiencing health issues and death.

    Recovery in middle age is possible.   Middle age sufferers can reclaim their lives, can find their true selves and can learn to accept their imperfections.  Maturity can actually bring substantial advantages to fighting eating disorders as older patients have more life experiences and insights to draw on. In addition, they are more knowledgeable and aware of the physical and psychological costs of maintaining their eating/exercise habits.

    Objectives:

    After the presentation, the participants will be able to:

    1. Identify the research and statistics regarding the prevalence and incidence of eating disorders in the middle age population.
    2. Describe the factors that contribute to the development of eating disorders in the middle age population.
    3. Identify risks and the devastating effects of eating disorders in the middle age population.
    4. Identify appropriate help and treatment for this unique population.

    Click here for more information and full speaker bios

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