Legislation Document

SPONSOR:	Sen. Cloutier & Rep. Matthews
Sens. Hansen, Henry, Lavelle, Townsend; Reps. Baumbach, Brady, Heffernan, Kenton, Miro, Osienski, Ramone, Smyk, Wilson

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 45

DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS "EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH" IN DELAWARE

WHEREAS, state level epidemiological data is lacking, however a projected 26,000 females and 11,000 males in Delaware may suffer from an eating disorder during their lifetime; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, up to 30 million people of all ages and genders suffer from an eating disorder during their lifetime including anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating; and

WHEREAS, over one-half of teenage girls and nearly one-third of teenage boys use unhealthy weight control behaviors such as skipping meals, fasting, smoking cigarettes, self-induced vomiting, and taking laxatives; and

WHEREAS, an increasing number of adults are being diagnosed with eating disorders; and

WHEREAS, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any mental illness; and

WHEREAS, education and awareness are critical to early intervention, direction to treatment, and assisting those seeking help; and

WHEREAS, eating disorders are treatable, yet there are no eating disorder-specific organizations, facilities, programs, or residential treatment options in the State of Delaware to provide assistance; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Health and Social Services is encouraged to research methods to prevent and raise awareness of eating disorders.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, that the month of March is designated as “Eating Disorders Awareness and Prevention Month” in Delaware.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health and Social Services is encouraged to research methods to prevent and raise awareness of eating disorders.