[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 23 (Tuesday, February 28, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S1529]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                     NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS WEEK

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, I rise today in recognition of National 
Eating Disorders Awareness Week to heighten awareness and emphasize 
prevention of eating disorders.
  More than 10 million Americans today struggle with eating disorders, 
including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and compulsive eating. Not 
only do these serious illnesses afflict people of all races and 
socioeconomic groups, eating disorders are now striking more men and 
children. The harm to the victims and their families can be tragically 
devastating, yet too often they continue to suffer in silence.
  This week, I hope that we can take an important step to reach out to 
them and let them know that help is available. Inadequate information, 
misunderstandings, or shame should never be a barrier to recovery.
  For this reason, I proudly sponsored Eating Disorders Information and 
Education Act of 1997 and the very first Senate resolution, S. Res. 
197, to designate a National Eating Disorders Awareness Day. And it is 
the same reason I rise today. I hope that my colleagues will join me in 
this effort to improve eating disorder awareness, prevention, and 
treatment.
  Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a letter from Ms. Chelsey 
Cogil, a resident of Zephyr Cove, NV, be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the material was ordered to be printed in 
the Record, as follows:

       Dear Senator Reid: Hello! My name is Chelsey Cogil and I am 
     writing to inform you that National Eating Disorders 
     Awareness Week is coming up next month starting on February 
     26th and lasting until March 4th.
       Coming from a family where eating disorders run common, I 
     know first hand the importance of spreading eating disorder 
     awareness and prevention.
       I would be absolutely delighted if you would make a 
     statement, in support of National Eating Disorders Awareness 
     Week, about the importance of spreading eating disorders 
     awareness. Below are some statistics that I encourage you to 
     read.
       Thank you for your time and help!
           Very Sincerely,
                                                    Chelsey Cogil,
                                                  Zephyr Cove, NV.
       The Renfrew Center Foundation for Eating Disorders, 
     ``Eating Disorders 101 Guide: A Summary of Issues, Statistics 
     and Resources,'' published September 2002, revised October 
     2003, http://www.renfrew.org: 1 in 5 women struggle with an 
     eating disorder or disordered eating; Up to 24 million people 
     suffer from an eating disorder in the United States; Up to 70 
     million people world wide struggle with an eating disorder; 
     Nearly half of all Americans personally know someone with an 
     eating disorder; Eating disorders have the highest mortality 
     rate of any mental illness; The mortality rate associated 
     with anorexia nervosa is 12 times higher than the death rate 
     of ALL causes of death for females 15-24 years old. Anorexia 
     is the 3rd most common chronic illness among adolescents; 
     Eating disorders are higher among young women with type 1 
     diabetes than among young women in the general population.

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