LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 20 - 26, 2011, as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, Eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and
binge eating disorder include extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors
surrounding weight and food issues, and can have life-threatening conse-
quences for both males and females; and
WHEREAS, In the United States there are reported cases of anorexia
nervosa and bulimia nervosa that affect nearly 10 million women and 1
million men, primarily teens and young adults, and it is estimated that
millions more suffer from binge eating disorder and other unspecified
eating disorders; and
WHEREAS, The average age of those suffering from eating disorders is
dropping rapidly, as young as elementary school, with a peak onset among
girls ages 11-13; and
WHEREAS, Anorexia nervosa is characterized by self-starvation and a
significant amount of weight loss; those suffering refuse to maintain a
healthy body weight for height, body type, age and activity level, and
there is usually an intense fear of weight gain and extreme concern with
body weight and shape; and
WHEREAS, Anorexia nervosa has the highest premature fatality rate of
any mental illness and is often associated with other serious health
consequences, including heart and kidney failure and osteoporosis; and
WHEREAS, Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder characterized by exces-
sive food consumption followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors,
such as self-induced vomiting, misuse of laxatives, fasting or excessive
exercise; and
WHEREAS, Bulimia nervosa is often associated with cardiac, gastroin-
testinal and dental problems, including irregular heartbeat, gastric
rupture, peptic ulcer, and tooth decay; and
WHEREAS, Binge eating disorder is characterized primarily by periods
of uncontrolled, impulsive or continuous eating beyond the point of
feeling comfortably full; while there is no purging, there may be
sporadic fasts or repetitive diets and often shame or self-hatred
following a binge; and
WHEREAS, Binge eating disorder is often associated with obesity, heart
disease, gallbladder disease, and diabetes; and
WHEREAS, There are other eating disorders which may include some
combination of the signs and symptoms of anorexia nervosa, bulimia
nervosa and/or binge eating disorder; although these behaviors may not
be clinically considered a full eating disorder, they may still be phys-
ically dangerous and emotionally draining; and
WHEREAS, Eating disorders usually appear in adolescence and are asso-
ciated with substantial psychological problems, including depression,
substance abuse and suicide; and
WHEREAS, Eating disorders can have a negative impact on the educa-
tional advancement of a student, a situation often overlooked and rarely
addressed in our schools; educational efforts to prevent eating disor-
ders are of primary importance to the health, well-being and academic
success of our students; and
WHEREAS, The National Eating Disorders Association sponsors National
Eating Disorders Awareness Week to prevent eating disorders and body
image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and
improving access to treatment; and
WHEREAS, Participants of National Eating Disorders Week include a
number of volunteers and groups in New York State which are raising

awareness and offering support for those suffering from eating disor-
ders, including Featherweight, Inc., the Eating Disorders Association of
Western New York, NEDA Long Island, and others; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 20-26, 2011,
as Eating Disorders Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; and to the aforementioned groups working to raise awareness and
offering support for those suffering from eating disorders and for fami-
lies who have lost a loved one to the disease.