Bill Text: NY K00876 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced

---

Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 26 through March 3, 2024, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 19-10)

Status: (Passed) 2024-02-26 - adopted [K00876 Detail]

Download: New_York-2023-K00876-Introduced.html

---

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.