HR 119 — A Resolution recognizing February 24 through March 2, 2025, as "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   977

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 119
                                               Session of
                                                 2025

     INTRODUCED BY ORTITAY, VENKAT, REICHARD, FREEMAN, NEILSON, KHAN,
        DALEY, CURRY, SALISBURY AND D. MILLER, MARCH 17, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MARCH 17, 2025


                                A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing February 24 through March 2, 2025, as "Eating
 2      Disorders Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, The goal of "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" is to
 4   shine a spotlight on eating disorders by educating the public,
 5   spreading a message of hope and putting lifesaving resources
 6   into the hands of those in need; and
 7      WHEREAS, Eating disorders are serious conditions that are
 8   potentially life-threatening and have a great impact on a
 9   person's physical and emotional health; and
10      WHEREAS, Too often, signs and symptoms of eating disorders
11   are overlooked; and many individuals, families and communities
12   are unaware of the devastating mental and physical consequences
13   of eating disorders, as well as the pressures, attitudes and
14   behaviors which shape them; and
15      WHEREAS, In the United States, 28.8 million Americans will
16   suffer from a clinically significant eating disorder at some
17   point in their life; and
18      WHEREAS, Clinically significant eating disorders affect
 1   people across all backgrounds and include anorexia nervosa,
 2   bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorders, other specified feeding
 3   or eating disorders, avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder,
 4   unspecified feeding or eating disorder, rumination disorder and
 5   pica; and
 6      WHEREAS, "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" is a collaborative
 7   effort consisting of eating disorders organizations, volunteers,
 8   including eating disorder professionals, health care providers,
 9   students, educators and social workers, and individuals
10   committed to raising awareness of the dangers surrounding eating
11   disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment
12   access; and
13      WHEREAS, Eating disorders are not lifestyle choices but
14   serious illnesses caused by a combination of biological,
15   psychological and sociocultural factors that converge and set
16   off an individual's predisposed genetic vulnerability and have
17   the second highest mortality rate for any mental illness; and
18      WHEREAS, Many cases of eating disorders go undetected and
19   less than one-third of young people with an eating disorder will
20   receive proper treatment; and
21      WHEREAS, Eating disorder experts have found that prompt
22   intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of
23   recovery; and
24      WHEREAS, It is important for educators, medical providers,
25   parents and community members to be aware of the warning signs
26   and symptoms of eating disorders; and
27      WHEREAS, "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" encourages people
28   to share their stories and experiences with disordered eating
29   and body image struggles and highlights the importance of
30   screenings for early detection and interventions; and

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 1      WHEREAS, "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" also dispels myths
 2   and presents eating disorders as a public health issue that
 3   indiscriminately affects many people; and
 4      WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes the vital role that
 5   "Eating Disorders Awareness Week" serves in increasing public
 6   and media attention regarding the seriousness of eating
 7   disorders and the biological and environmental causes of eating
 8   disorders, as well as increasing public knowledge on how to help
 9   individuals who are struggling with these debilitating diseases;
10   therefore be it
11      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
12   week of February 26 through March 3, 2025, as "Eating Disorders
13   Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania in order to educate residents
14   about, and increase public awareness of, eating disorders and
15   the availability of eating disorder support and interventions;
16   and be it further
17      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives urge the Governor
18   to issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, the
19   health care community and the citizens of Pennsylvania to
20   observe "Eating Disorder Awareness Week" with appropriate
21   activities and programs.




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