[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 28 (Tuesday, March 2, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E285-E286]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                NATIONAL EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS WEEK

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                     HON. DEBBIE WASSERMAN SCHULTZ

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, March 2, 2010

  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, this week we observe National 
Eating Disorders Awareness Week; an opportunity for all Americans to 
educate themselves about unhealthy eating habits and arm themselves 
with the tools they need to stay healthy.
  Unfortunately, in today's society, girls are especially prone to 
eating disorders. One organization in particular that has done a great 
deal of research on eating habits and how they relate to girls' body 
image and self esteem is the Girl Scouts of the USA, through their 
Research Institute.
  For the past decade, the Girl Scouts Research Institute has been a 
crucial center for research and public policy information on the 
healthy development of girls. Their most recent survey, Girls and Body 
Image, indicates that now, more than ever, young girls struggle with 
their body image and have unrealistic standards of beauty.
  Specifically, the survey found that body dissatisfaction leads to 
unhealthy eating and dieting habits. More than half of girls (55 
percent) admit they diet to lose weight, 42 percent of girls know 
someone their age who forced themselves to throw up after eating, 37 
percent know someone who has been diagnosed with an eating disorder, 
and 31 percent admit to starving themselves or refusing to eat as a 
strategy to lose weight. Findings from the survey show girls feel 
pressure from mainstream media to have an ideal body type.
  I am committed to working with Girl Scouts to advocate for media 
messaging to be more ``girl-positive.'' This will lead to the healthy 
development of girls in terms of self-esteem and

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body image, respectful relationships, and leadership skills. As our 
nation reflects this week on the importance of healthy eating habits 
and the destructive effects of eating disorders, we are presented with 
a unique opportunity to empower girls to lead healthier lives. We 
recognize that the self-esteem issues in young women are getting worse 
and the time to take action is now.
  It is in this spirit that I encourage all of my colleagues to partner 
with the Girl Scouts in their efforts to promote media messages that 
feature girls and women who have diverse body images and act as 
positive role models.
  As co-chair of Troop Capitol Hill, the Honorary Congressional Girl 
Scout Troop for all women Members of Congress, it is an honor to 
partner with the Girl Scouts to promote policy solutions that improve 
girls' lives.

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