[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 35 (Thursday, March 1, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E441]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


                NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK

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                        HON. PATRICK J. KENNEDY

                            of rhode island

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 1, 2007

  Mr. KENNEDY. Madam Speaker, I would like to take this opportunity to 
recognize National Eating Disorders Awareness Week. While we know that 
millions of people are affected by eating disorders, which include 
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder, the exact 
number is unknown because there is no accurate data collection of these 
diseases. It is time to take action on eating disorders, a mental and 
physical health issue that has had little public support and is often 
misrepresented in popular media.
  Each year, hundreds of Americans die as a direct result of an eating 
disorder, which has the highest mortality rate of any mental illness. 
Several thousand more have eating disorder symptoms listed as 
contributing conditions to their deaths. For those who live with the 
condition, eating disorders frequently impair the sufferer's home, 
work, personal, and social life. Health consequences such as 
osteoporosis (brittle bones), gastrointestinal complications and dental 
problems are significant health and financial burdens throughout life. 
At any given time, 10 percent or more of late adolescent and adult 
women report symptoms of eating disorders.
  Just last month, a nationally representative survey of the U.S. 
population, funded in part by the National Institute of Mental Health, 
reported that eating disorders often occur with other mental health 
disorders, yet eating disorders may go undiagnosed and untreated. The 
researchers, therapists, and families of the Eating Disorders Coalition 
are working to advance the Federal recognition of eating disorders as a 
public health priority. I applaud the efforts of the National Eating 
Disorders Association to call attention to these important issues 
during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, February 25 to March 
3, 2007.

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