Predictors of body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in middle-aged women

The purpose of the present article was to review empirical research on the factors associated with body dissatisfaction and disordered eating in middle-aged women. All of the factors identified are relevant to both of these significant women's health issues, suggesting that they are strongly linked. Most correlates and risk factors are similar to those found in younger women and encompass biological (e.g., body mass index), psychological (e.g., internalization of the thin ideal), and sociocultural influences (e.g., weight-related teasing). Additional factors of relevance to middle-aged women are menopausal status and aging anxiety, which reflect the distinct developmental challenges faced by women during midlife.

Research Highlights
► Body dissatisfaction (BD) and disordered eating (DE) are common in middle-aged women.
► Predictors of BD and DE in middle-aged (M-A) women encompass biopsychosocial factors.
► Most predictors of BD and DE in M-A women are similar to those found in younger women
► Additional factors of relevance to M-A women are menopausal status and aging anxiety.