Assembly Resolution No. 876

BY: M. of A. Rosenthal L

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
February 26-March 3, 2024, 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 26-March 3, 2024,
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, 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 26-March 3, 2024,
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.