Declare Eating Disorders Awareness Week

Assembly Resolution No. 127 BY: M. of A. Rosenthal MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 24-March 2, 2025, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 24-March 2, 2025, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Eating Disorders (NED) Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, The 2025 Theme of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is "The Time is Now," and the goal is to highlight the importance of sharing knowledge and resources, encouraging early detection and treatment and supporting research efforts; and WHEREAS, In the United States, 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from clinically significant eating disorders at some time in their life including Anorexia Nervosa (AN), Bulimia Nervosa (BN), Binge Eating Disorder (BED), or an Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) and affect people across all racial and ethnic backgrounds; and WHEREAS, Eating disorders are serious conditions that are potentially life-threatening and have a serious impact on an individual's emotional and physical health, including abnormal heart rate, low blood pressure, and reduction in bone density; too often, signs and symptoms are overlooked, and many individuals, families, and communities are unaware of the devastating mental and physical consequences of eating disorders, as well as the pressures, attitudes, and behaviors which shape them; and WHEREAS, The National Eating Disorders Association, which calls New York State its home, strives to address the many misconceptions regarding eating disorders, and to highlight the availability of resources for treatment and support; and WHEREAS, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week is a collaborative effort consisting primarily of volunteers, including eating disorder professionals, health care providers, students, educators, social workers, and individuals committed to raising awareness of the dangers surrounding eating disorders and the need for early intervention and treatment; and WHEREAS, Eating disorders usually appear in adolescence and are associated with substantial psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse and suicide; they are serious illnesses, not lifestyle choices; in fact, anorexia has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness; and WHEREAS, Many cases of eating disorders go undetected; less than one-third of youth with eating disorders will receive treatment; although primarily affecting females, one in every three to four individuals with these illnesses is male; and WHEREAS, Eating disorders experts have found that prompt intensive treatment significantly improves the chances of recovery; therefore, it is important for educators, medical providers, parents, and community members to be aware of the warning signs and the symptoms of eating disorders; and WHEREAS, National Eating Disorder Awareness Week will highlight the fact that body size and shape are strongly influenced by biological factors, while also calling attention to some of the new discoveries surrounding the role of genetics in the development of eating disorders; and WHEREAS, Concerned individuals are asked to talk with others during National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, in hopes that their participation will raise awareness that eating disorders are a serious illness, provide accurate information to the medical, educational and business communities, and direct people to potentially lifesaving information and resources; and WHEREAS, In 2004, New York State took a leading role in the fight against eating disorders by establishing an integrated network of Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating Disorders which provide evidence-based treatment to those afflicted throughout the State; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the vital work of National Eating Disorder Awareness Week in promoting public and media attention to the seriousness of eating disorders and for working to improve education about their biological and environmental causes, as well as how to help those who are struggling with this debilitating disease; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 24-March 2, 2025, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York; and The National Eating Disorders Association.