[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 24 (Wednesday, February 24, 2010)]
[House]
[Page H759]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK

  (Mrs. CAPPS asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Mrs. CAPPS. Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to acknowledge 
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week.
  Millions of Americans struggle with an eating disorder. We must do 
more to increase public awareness about diagnosis, prevention, and 
treatment. One critical step we can take is to promote positive body 
image.
  As we all know, the media has a significant influence on girls' and 
young women's perception of the ideal body size and shape. Sixty 
percent of girls say they compare their bodies to fashion models, and a 
staggering 90 percent say they feel pressured to be thin from the 
fashion industry.
  Just as we witnessed with cigarette advertisements targeted at young 
women, fashion advertising often portrays a twisted ideal of beauty.
  I urge my colleagues to take this opportunity during National Eating 
Disorders Awareness Week to work together to promote positive body 
image to the girls and women in your lives and in your congressional 
district. Our support on this issue is vital to ensure the physical, 
emotional, and social health of all our girls.

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