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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The 2016 Theme of National Eating Disorders
3Awareness Week is "3 Minutes Can Save a Life", which will focus
4on the life-saving benefits of early detection and
5intervention; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Eating disorders are serious conditions that are
7potentially life-threatening and have a great impact on both a
8person's physical and emotional health; too often, signs and
9symptoms are overlooked, and many individuals, families, and
10communities are unaware of the devastating mental and physical
11consequences of eating disorders, as well as the pressures,
12attitudes, and behaviors which shape them; and
 
13    WHEREAS, In the United States, 20 million women and 10
14million men suffer from clinically significant eating
15disorders at some time in their lives; these disorders affect
16people across all backgrounds and include anorexia nervosa,
17bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorders; and
 
18    WHEREAS, The National Eating Disorders Association strives
19to address the many misconceptions regarding eating disorders,
20and to highlight the availability of resources for treatment
21and support; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week is a
2collaborative effort consisting primarily of volunteers,
3including eating disorder professionals, health care
4providers, students, educators, social workers, and
5individuals committed to raising awareness of the dangers
6surrounding eating disorders and the need for early
7intervention and treatment access; and
 
8    WHEREAS, Eating disorders usually appear in adolescence
9and are associated with substantial psychological problems,
10including depression, substance abuse, and suicide; they are
11serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices; in fact, anorexia has
12the highest mortality rate of any mental illness; and
 
13    WHEREAS, Many cases of eating disorders go undetected; less
14than one-third of youth with eating disorders will receive
15treatment; and
 
16    WHEREAS, Eating disorders experts have found that prompt
17intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of
18recovery; therefore, it is important for educators, medical
19providers, parents, and community members to be aware of the
20warning signs and the symptoms of eating disorders; and
 
21    WHEREAS, National Eating Disorders Awareness Week will
22highlight the importance of screenings for the early detection

 

 

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1and intervention of eating disorders; intervening during the
2early stages of development can significantly increase the
3likelihood of preventing the onset of a full-blown eating
4disorder and lead to greater chances of a full recovery; and
 
5    WHEREAS, The members of this body recognize the vital work
6of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week in promoting public
7and media attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and
8for working to improve education about their biological and
9environmental causes, as well as how to help those who are
10struggling with these debilitating diseases; therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13designate the week of February 21-27, 2016 as Eating Disorders
14Awareness Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
16presented to the National Eating Disorders Association.