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
20250HR0119PN0977 - 2 -
 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.
20250HR0119PN0977 - 3 -