[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 30 (Tuesday, February 25, 2003)]
[House]
[Page H1299]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




IN SUPPORT OF THE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION AND EDUCATION 
                              ACT OF 2003

  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. Beauprez). Under a previous order of the 
House, the gentlewoman from Illinois (Mrs. Biggert) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, food is one of life's greatest pleasures. 
Food is also one of life's greatest necessities. Yet, for many, food is 
an enemy and the act of eating is torture.
  An estimated 5 million to 10 million Americans suffer from eating-
related diseases, including anorexia, bulimia, and binge-eating 
disorders. As many as 50,000 of those affected will die as a direct 
result of these disorders.
  Young women are the most common victims of these deadly diseases, but 
a significant number of males also experience eating-related disorders. 
We are all aware of the medical complications that result from anorexia 
and bulimia: malnutrition, liver damage, gum erosion, and even death. 
However, an often-overlooked consequence of eating disorders is the 
negative impact they have on a child's educational achievement. 
Students with eating disorders often see their school performance 
decline due to lapses in concentration, loss of self-esteem, 
depression, and engaging in self-destructive behaviors.
  Listen to how one young woman in our district describes the 
destruction done to her life by an eating disorder: ``I am a 16-year-
old with anorexia. Having this disease has been the most horrible 
experience of my life. It completely takes control of your life. It 
breaks up your family, friends, and your actual thinking decisions. I 
have had this disorder for over a year and a half. Over that year and a 
half I have been slowly killing myself.''
  Despite the social and physical devastation that these diseases 
inflict on young people such as this girl, very few States or school 
districts have adequate programs or services to help children suffering 
from weight-related disorders. It is not that educators or parents do 
not realize the problems caused by bulimia or binge-eating or are 
unable to identify affected students; in many cases, they either do not 
know how to respond to the problem or are without the resources to help 
educate our youth about the dangers of eating disorders.
  It is for this reason that I am introducing the Eating Disorders 
Awareness, Prevention and Education Act of 2003. This legislation has 
three parts which together are designed to raise awareness nationally 
of the problems caused by eating disorders, and to expand opportunities 
for parents and educators to address them at the school level. This 
last goal is particularly important as 86 percent of the affected 
individuals develop their eating disorders before the age 20.
  Here is a quick summary of what the Eating Disorders Awareness, 
Prevention and Education Act will do:
  First, the legislation provides States and local school districts 
with the option of using title V funds to set up eating disorder 
prevention, awareness and education programs. Under the No Child Left 
Behind Act, title V funds can be used for nine specific activities to 
improve the academic outcome of students. This legislation would make 
eating disorders awareness, education and prevention the tenth 
allowable use.
  Because this legislation expands what States and school districts can 
do with funds they already receive, it allows us to help vulnerable 
students without increasing the Federal Government's involvement in 
local education matters or creating a new Federal program.
  The second major provision of this bill ties in with the first. It 
requires the National Center for Education Statistics at the Department 
of Education and the National Center for Health Statistics at the 
Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a joint study and 
report to Congress on the impact eating disorders have on educational 
advancement and achievement.
  The study will evaluate the extent to which students with eating 
disorders are more likely to miss school, have delayed rates of 
development, or reduce cognitive skills. The study will also outline 
current State and local programs to educate youth about the dangers of 
eating disorders, as well as evaluate the value of such programs.
  The third and final piece of this legislation calls for the 
Department of Education and Health and Human Services to carry out a 
national eating disorders public awareness campaign. This campaign will 
be similar to the antidrug campaign now being run by the Office of 
National Drug Control Policy.
  Mr. Speaker, there is no easy solution to the problem of eating 
disorders. They present a serious threat to the health and educational 
advancement of our Nation's children. They must be addressed.
  The Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention and Education Act gives 
States, local school districts, and parents the tools needed to address 
this problem at its root: in schools and classrooms across America. At 
the same time, it continues the principle of local control of 
education, makes good use of limited Federal resources, and increases 
educational opportunities for this group of at-risk children.
  Let me close by quoting another young woman from my district 
struggling with an eating disorder. After describing her tragic battle 
with anorexia, she closed her letter by saying this: ``I really hope 
that you now realize how important it is to have some awareness and 
programs in schools about eating disorders.''
  I do understand, Mr. Speaker, and hope my colleagues will join me in 
supporting this much needed legislation.

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