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Boomer Women Struggle with Eating Disorders

Fox news affiliate KRXI, 8/16/07

Abstract:

Most people think of eating disorders as a problem that strikes girls and young women. But increasingly, experts said, eating disorders are becoming an epidemic among baby boomers, Boston television station WCVB reported.

At 41-years-old, Lauren is finally gaining control of her body and her life. She has suffered from bulimia and anorexia for 25 years...

...Lauren is not alone in her struggle. Experts say between 1 million and 3 million middle-aged women in this country have anorexia or bulimia. One out of every 10 eating disorder patients is over 40.

"There's probably a several-fold increase in the last decade of middle-aged women seeking treatment," said Dr. David Herzog, director of the Harvard Eating Disorders Program at Mass General Hospital.

According to Herzog, a mid-life crisis or the fight against mid-life weight gain can trigger eating disorders.

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