Can an eating disorder appear after the age of 30 without having had symptoms in adolescence?

It's not the norm, but yes, some cases can occur. In many cases that begin after age 30, we find a similar personality pattern in terms of perfectionism, self-criticism, low self-esteem, or impulsivity. While these individuals may never have required professional help, when we examine their context during the transition from adolescence to adulthood, we find altered patterns of eating, relationships, and physical exercise that are considered risk factors for the potential development of an eating disorder at some point.