Reps. Brown, Barnett, Byrum, Constan, Cotter, Darany, Durhal, Geiss, Lindberg, Liss, Segal and Slavens offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 197.  

A resolution to declare February 26-March 3, 2012 as Eating Disorder Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, In the United States, as many as 10 million females and 1 million males are fighting a life and death battle with an eating disorder such as anorexia or bulimia; and

Whereas, Millions more struggle with binge eating disorder and many individuals struggle with body dissatisfaction and sub-clinical disordered eating attitudes and behaviors; and

Whereas, For women between fifteen and twenty-four years old who suffer from anorexia nervosa, the mortality rate associated with the illness is twelve times higher than the death rate of all other causes of death; and

Whereas, Anorexia nervosa has the highest premature fatality rate of any mental illness; and

Whereas, 40 percent of newly identified cases of anorexia are in girls 15-19 years old; and

Whereas, Only one-third of people with anorexia in the community receive mental health care; and

Whereas, The theme of this year's Eating Disorder Awareness Week is "Everybody Knows Somebody" because awareness of eating disorders is spreading; and

Whereas, The aim of Eating Disorder Awareness Week is to ultimately prevent eating disorders and body image issues while reducing the stigma surrounding eating disorders and improving access to treatment; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare February 26-March 3, 2012, as Eating Disorder Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.