Specialized Treatment for Females of All Ages

While eating disorders impact all type of individuals, they most commonly affect women. In all, approximately 20 million American females will have an eating disorder in their lifetime.

What makes women more vulnerable? There are many factors, including common cultural ideologies around female body shape and size. Pressure to adhere to these standards can often lead one to experience severe body dissatisfaction or negative feelings towards their appearance. These thoughts frequently result in a drive to achieve the “ideal” body type, which in turn, can leave one susceptible to disordered eating behavior such as restriction, purging or abuse of laxatives.

According to DoSomething.org, approximately 91 percent of women are unhappy with their bodies and resort to dieting to achieve their ideal body shape.

Eating disorders affect women of all age groups. The number of adolescent girls – ages 15 to 19 – with anorexia has increased each decade since the 1930s, according to the National Eating Disorders Association. The incidence of bulimia in women aged 10 to 39 tripled between 1988 and 1993. According to Grigg et al, adolescent girls who diet at a severe level are 18 times more likely to develop an eating disorder within six months and have a 20% chance of developing an eating disorder after 12 months of extreme dieting.

While most cases originate in adolescence or early adulthood, eating disorders are becoming increasingly common among older women. According to a 2012 study from the International Journal of Eating Disorders, 13% of women over the age of 50 engage in eating disorder behaviors.

Despite the high prevalence among women, estimates show 80% of women treated for eating disorders do not receive the intensive treatment they require. Failure to properly address symptoms can result in serious physical and psychological consequences. The mortality rate of women with anorexia, between the ages of 15 and 24, is twelve times higher than all other causes of death. Furthermore, The Academy for Eating Disorders found the risk of premature death is 6-12 times higher in women with anorexia nervosa compared with the general population.

According to the Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, women with Type-1 diabetes are about two and a half times more likely to develop an eating disorder than women without diabetes

Eating Disorders Treatment for Women

Walden Behavioral Care offers specialized treatment for women of all ages, including adults, adolescents and even children. Whether you’re facing anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder or other forms of disordered eating, you can count on the highest and most personalized level of support on your journey to recovery. While we serve all types of populations, the majority of those we work with are females.

Our programming spans all levels of care:

Walden has 14 locations across New England and Georgia. This includes two inpatient units, a residential facility and 11 ambulatory care clinics. Individuals can receive care at clinics and hospitals located in Amherst, BraintreePeabody, Waltham and Westborough, Mass.; Guilford, South Windsor, Conn., and Alpharetta and Dunwoody, Ga.

You are not alone. We’re here to help.

If you are concerned that you, or someone you love, may have an eating disorder, we are here to help. Complete the form on this page or call 888-305-2997 to speak to a member of our Welcome Center. Start the road to recovery today!