Health officials said high schools and college campuses are often breeding grounds for eating disorders including anorexia, bulimia and purging. However, a new study found 13 percent of women age 50 and older are struggling with eating disorders for the very first time.

Most eating disorder patients admit that their weight and shape affect how they perceive themselves, RTV6’s Stacia Matthews reported.

Kimble Richardson, a counselor at the St. Vincent Stress Center, said major life changes can trigger midlife eating disorders.

“The 60s are now the new 40. The 70s are the new 50s, so people are concerned about how they look outside as opposed to how they feel inside,” Richardson said.

Medical experts said many women are reluctant to seek help and often need an intervention.

Therapists said they hope health care providers will be on alert for eating disorder symptoms.