05 LC 33
0731
House
Resolution 253
By:
Representatives Gardner of the
57th,
Drenner of the
86th,
Morgan of the
39th,
Ashe of the
56th,
Jones of the
44th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Recognizing
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week and urging the Division of Public
Health of the Department of Human Resources to undertake certain related
studies; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
anorexia, bulimia, and compulsive overeating are problems which are
misunderstood, stigmatized, underfunded, and undertreated; and
WHEREAS,
estimates are that 10 million Americans suffer from eating disorders, including
9 million girls and women and 1 million boys and men; and
WHEREAS,
anorexia is linked to an 18 fold increase in the risk of death, with up to 20
percent of sufferers dying of malnutrition and suicide, and is also the
psychiatric disorder with the highest mortality rate; and
WHEREAS,
eating disorders are associated with substantial psychological problems,
including depression, substance abuse, and suicide, and can lead to major
medical complications, including cardiac arrhythmia, cognitive impairment,
certain cancers, osteoporosis, infertility, and, most seriously, death;
and
WHEREAS,
our "best and brightest girls" are the most vulnerable to eating disorders with
90 percent of sufferers being adolescent girls; and
WHEREAS,
eating disorders cut across race, color, gender, and socioeconomic categories;
and
WHEREAS,
eating disorders are increasing in younger age groups with children as young as
seven years old suffering; and
WHEREAS,
40-60 percent of high school girls diet, 13 percent of high school girls purge,
30-40 percent of junior high girls worry about weight, and 40 percent of
nine-year old girls have dieted; and
WHEREAS,
genetic, social, familial factors, and media pressures are all known to be
related to eating disorders; and
WHEREAS,
there is little federal funding for eating disorder education and research on
eating disorders, with the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) allocating
only 1 percent of its overall research budget for eating disorders in 1997
and a percentage of this money supporting research on obesity and diabetes;
and
WHEREAS,
many insurance companies disallow or limit reimbursements for eating disorders,
forcing doctors to discharge patients with anorexia nervosa too early, placing
patients in life-threatening situations; and
WHEREAS,
necessary inpatient treatment for eating disorders can cost up to $10,000.00 per
week and require a several months' hospital stay; and
WHEREAS,
early intervention is crucial and Atlanta has one of the few organizations
dedicated to early detection, education, and prevention through the Eating
Disorders Information
Networḱs
School Outreach Program; and
WHEREAS,
the intense concern about childhood obesity can serve to stigmatize overweight
children, and dieting has shown to be dangerous to children, leading to binge
eating, anorexia, and bulimia; and
WHEREAS,
eating disorders should be taken as seriously as the obesity epidemic and
treated as the public health crisis they have become and government should take
a proactive role in prevention education regarding all forms of eating
disorders, including binge eating and extreme dieting, and make access to
treatment available for those already suffering with eating disorders;
and
WHEREAS,
the House of Representatives is concerned with preserving and protecting the
health of the citizens of Georgia.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body recognize February 19-28, 2005, as National Eating Disorders Awareness
Week, so deemed by the Eating Disorders Information Network as "Listen to Your
Body Week."
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Division of Public Health of the Department of
Human Resources is urged to undertake a study of the public health impact of
eating disorders in the State of Georgia and the need for programs or policies
to enhance education, awareness, detection, and prevention of the disease in the
general population.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Division of Public Health of the Department of
Human Resources is urged to undertake a study of the conditions, needs, issues,
and problems mentioned above or related thereto and recommend any actions or
legislation as necessary or appropriate.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the Division
of Public Health of the Department of Human Resources.