HR0977 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0977 LRB099 18559 MST 44476 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Eating disorders can affect all individuals regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status; and

WHEREAS, Up to 30 million individuals in the United States suffer from eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia, and binge eating; and

WHEREAS, Almost 50% of individuals with eating disorders meet the criteria for depression; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 95% of those struggling with eating disorders are between the ages of 12 and 25, with anorexia nervosa being the third most common chronic illness among adolescents with a mortality rate 12 times higher than the death rate associated with all causes of death for females between the ages of 15 and 24; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 10-15% of individuals with anorexia nervosa or bulimia are male, although female individuals are more likely to develop eating disorders; and

WHEREAS, Males are less likely to seek treatment because of the societal perception that eating disorders are "female diseases"; and

WHEREAS, Only one in 10 individuals with eating disorders receive treatment and only 35% of people who receive treatment for eating disorders obtain treatment at a specialized facility for eating disorders; and

WHEREAS, Eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness, with one study ranging from 4% mortality due to anorexia nervosa, 3.9% due to bulimia, and 5.2% due to other eating disorders not specified; and

WHEREAS, The mortality rate due to eating disorders may be higher because medical complications, such as heart failure, organ failure, malnutrition, or suicide, are reported as the cause of death instead of the eating disorder that led to the death of the individual; and

WHEREAS, The causes of eating disorders can be comprised of multiple factors, such as genetics, metabolism, psychological aspects including control, coping mechanisms, trauma, personality factors, family issues, and social issues including a society that promotes thinness and media that spread this message; and

WHEREAS, The National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) holds an annual conference to examine treatment and prevention of eating disorders that can affect the loved ones of family and friends; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the week of February 21 to February 27 of 2016 as "Eating Disorder Awareness Week" in the State of Illinois in concurrence with National Eating Disorder Awareness Week for the purpose of urging both government entities and the citizenry to become aware and educated on the subject of eating disorders in an effort to love and support our loved ones struggling with such disorders; and be it further

RESOLVED, That people are urged to wear periwinkle colored ribbons, which is the color of eating disorder awareness, every day of Eating Disorder Awareness Week and have ribbons available at their offices for those who want to join in the awareness effort; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we extend our sincerest thank you to the National Eating Disorders Association for hosting its NEDA Conference in Chicago from September 29 to October 1, 2016.