LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 21 - 27, 2016, 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 21-27, 2016, 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 2016 Theme of NEDAwareness Week is "3 Minutes can save a
life", focusing on the importance of early intervention by encouraging
online screening; 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; these disorders affect people across all racial and ethnic
backgrounds and include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge
eating disorder; and
WHEREAS, The National Eating Disorders Association, which calls New
York State its home, strives to address the many misconceptions regard-
ing eating disorders, and to highlight the availability of resources for
treatment and support; and
WHEREAS, NEDAwareness Week is a collaborative effort consisting prima-
rily of volunteers, including eating disorder professionals, health care
providers, students, educators, social workers, and individuals commit-
ted 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 asso-
ciated 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, NEDAwareness 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 genet-
ics in the development of eating disorders; and
WHEREAS, Concerned individuals are asked to talk with others during
NEDAwareness Week, in hopes that their participation will raise aware-
ness 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; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the vital work of NEDAware-
ness 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 Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 21-27, 2016,
as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; the National Eating Disorders Association; and the Northeastern,
Metropolitan and Western New York Comprehensive Care Centers for Eating
Disorders.