Older women not front cover material

How often do you see older women front and centre in magazine publications? Despite ageing readership, many studies reveal magazines feature a greater number of younger women, with some experts suggesting the dangerous trend threatens older women’s sexuality and self-confidence.

A new study finds that this absence of older women isn’t limited to magazine covers. In fact, an analysis of editorial and advertising images reveals that despite proportions of older readers ranging as high as 23%, fashion magazines portray women over 40 sparingly, if at all.

Even in magazines geared toward ageing baby boomers, the images collectively present a thin, youthful, wrinkle-free woman, which is an image often impossible to maintain later in life.

University of Georgia gerontologist and the study’s author, Dr Denise Lewis, says images of youthful looking women in magazines “lead to problems of negative body image”.

“It leads to issues that have people denying ageing,” Dr Lewis says.

She maintains eating disorders are not only the “domain of younger women”.

“Older American women have not been studied as frequently, but two population-based studies in the 1990s estimated that between 7.2 and 7.7 per 100,000 women between the age of 40 and 59 have anorexia nervosa,” she said.

A study published in 2008 found pressure from family, peers and media was linked with a desire for thinness and disordered eating.

Another study, published in 2003, found family pressure was the most influential cause of an eating disorder, though media pressure had a small to medium influence as well.

Some researchers are concerned about more subtle influences, however.

“Even in magazines geared toward older women, signs of ageing are often airbrushed out. Perhaps not coincidentally, anti-wrinkle treatments are soaring in popularity,” Dr Lewis said.

She said mixed messages in magazines were a cause for concern.

“The message quite often is, either mask your age, or you’re so old you’re parked in the corner,” Dr Lewis said.

Sex educator Peggy Brick, says she worries the media’s view of older people as “invisible” contributes to older adults simply “giving up” on their sexuality.

“I’m trying to get them to fight the stereotypes that sex is simply for the young and the beautiful, and that old is ugly and nonsexual,” Ms Brick said.

American research has shown that, in fact, older people have rewarding sex lives, with 38% of men and 17% of women between the ages of 75 and 85 still sexually active.

Do you believe Australian magazines pose a similar concern? What are your thoughts on eating disorders in older people? Share your thoughts on these topics in the comment box below.