* This episode focuses on eating disorders and their management and contains a content warning which may trigger some listeners. If you live in Australia and require any support, please call the Butterfly Foundation on 1800 334 673. 

Today's episode focuses on an important health topic that is rarely discussed, yet it's one that affects a number of women, and that's eating disorders in midlife and beyond. I'm sharing a conversation that I had with Associate Professor Gemma Sharp. Gemma leads a body image and eating disorders research program at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. In her clinical work, she is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and Nationally Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician in Australia.  She is very proud to have led the world's first comprehensive online resource addressing the intersection between eating disorders. This episode is absolutely fascinating; tune in as we talk about:

• How the hormonal changes in midlife impact your appetite and body composition.

• How it is for any age and time to start discussions around reproductive functioning, even as early as puberty.

• Breaking down what is an eating disorder and how it can look different for different women.

• How types of eating disorders seem to differ at different stages of life and for different genders.

• It’s never too early to seek support, and how it can be hard to notice signs and symptoms.

• The different aspects of eating disorders and how they present themselves, for example, finding it difficult to engage in social eating, excessive time in the gym or body dissatisfaction.

• Talking to someone about an eating disorder.

• Changing body compositions in midlife and how we are not meant to stay the same weight our entire lives.

• Different cultures and attitudes towards eating disorders.

As you'll hear throughout the interview, Gemma's drive and passion is leading to many world firsts that will benefit women for years to come. If you think it could benefit another woman, I would love for you to share this episode.

Gemma leads the International Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED), which will be officially launched on September 25, 2024. 

Associate Professor Gemma Sharp leads the Body Image & Eating Disorders Research Program at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia. She also established and leads the international Consortium for Research in Eating Disorders (CoRe-ED), which will be officially launched on 25th September 2024. In her clinical work, she is a senior clinical psychologist and nationally credentialed eating disorder clinician in Australia. She is very proud to have led the world's first comprehensive online resource addressing the intersection between eating disorders and the menopausal transition and is passionate about all people receiving the care they deserve to recover from eating disorders. To register for the event, please visit ⁠https://www.eventbrite.com/e/official-launch-consortium-for-research-in-eating-disorders-tickets-912990578397?aff=oddtdtcreator⁠

You can also connect with and find out more at Menopause/Eating Disorders Online Resource: ⁠https://learn.eatingdisorders.org.au/courses/menopause-and-eating-disorders⁠ A/Prof Gemma Sharp Staff Page: ⁠https://research.monash.edu/en/persons/gemma-sharp⁠

CoRe-ED: ⁠https://core-ed.com.au/⁠ and LinkedIn - ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/gemma-sharp-6a29392a9/⁠

You can also find me on Instagram -⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/joclarkcoaching/⁠⁠ and LinkedIn -⁠⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joclarkcoaching/⁠⁠

Here’s to redefining midlife and making our next half of life even better than the first.