[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 7 (Wednesday, January 28, 2004)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E69]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING A RESOLUTION TO DECLARE THE WEEK OF FEBRUARY 22, 2004 AS 
                NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JUDY BIGGERT

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, January 28, 2004

  Mrs. BIGGERT. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
declaring the week of February 22, 2004 as National Eating Disorders 
Awareness Week. I want to thank my friend Ted Strickland from Ohio for 
introducing this resolution with me, and for his support on this very 
important issue.
  Conservative estimates indicate that 5 to 10 million girls and women 
and 1 million boys and men in the United States are struggling with 
eating disorders, including anorexia, bulimia, binge eating disorder, 
or borderline conditions. These conditions can lead to serious physical 
and mental health problems, yet affected individuals often do not seek 
treatment because of the shame and misunderstanding surrounding these 
disorders.
  National Eating Disorders Awareness Week will serve as a way to 
increase public awareness of these disorders and to promote healthful 
eating habits and healthy body image. I urge my colleagues to join me 
in supporting this worthy endeavor, and I yield back the balance of my 
time.

                          ____________________