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State of Arkansas 1
95th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2025 HR 1051 3
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By: Representatives D. Garner, Gonzales Worthen, Vaught, McCullough, Hudson, J. Mayberry 5
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 8
TO RECOGNIZE EATING DISORDER ACTION WEEK AS A TIME TO 9
RAISE AWARENESS, PROMOTE EDUCATION, AND ENCOURAGE 10
EARLY INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT FOR EATING 11
DISORDERS. 12
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Subtitle 15
TO RECOGNIZE EATING DISORDER ACTION WEEK 16
AS A TIME TO RAISE AWARENESS, PROMOTE 17
EDUCATION, AND ENCOURAGE EARLY 18
INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT FOR EATING 19
DISORDERS. 20
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WHEREAS, eating disorders affect approximately nine percent (9%) of the 22
population of the United States, equating to twenty -eight million, eight 23
hundred thousand (28,800,000) citizens; and 24
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WHEREAS, eating disorders have the highest mortality rate of any 26
psychiatric illness, with one (1) person dying every fifty -two (52) minutes 27
as a direct consequence of an eating disorder; and 28
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WHEREAS, women experience eating disorders at more than two (2) times 30
the rate of men, with lifetime prevalence rates estimated at eight and six -31
tenths percent (8.6%) for women compared to four and seven -hundredths percent 32
(4.07%) for men; and 33
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WHEREAS, individuals from marginalized communities, military personnel, 35
athletes, and men face unique challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and access 36 HR1051
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to care for eating disorders; and 1
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WHEREAS, eating disorders show significant links with other mental 3
health conditions including depression, anxiety, post -traumatic stress 4
disorder, and substance use disorders, with a high prevalence of suicidal 5
ideation and suicide attempts among those affected; and 6
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WHEREAS, young people, including teenagers and college students, are 8
particularly vulnerable to developing disordered eating behaviors, with risk 9
factors such as dieting, body dissatisfaction, and societal pressures 10
contributing to the rise in cases; and 11
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WHEREAS, eating disorders have a substantial economic and public health 13
impact, with Arkansas ranking thirteenth in the nation for eating disorder 14
prevalence and incurring an estimated forty -two million, four hundred 15
thousand dollars ($42,400,000) in related healthcare costs annually; and 16
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WHEREAS, Arkansas hospitals experience an average of two hundred 18
fifteen (215) inpatient hospitalizations and four hundred ninety -five (495) 19
emergency room visits annually due to eating disorders, further highlighting 20
the need for improved awareness, prevention, and treatment options, 21
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NOW THEREFORE, 23
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY -FIFTH GENERAL 24
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS : 25
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THAT Eating Disorder Action Week be recognized as a time to raise 27
awareness, promote education, and encourage early intervention and treatment 28
for eating disorders. 29
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT medical professionals, educators, policymakers, 31
and community organizations work collaboratively to improve access to 32
treatment, reduce stigma, and provide comprehensive support for individuals 33
affected by eating disorders. 34
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT local, state, and national leaders take proactive 36 HR1051
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steps to implement policies and allocate resources that address the growing 1
prevalence of eating disorders, ensuring that all individuals, especially 2
women, who are disproportionately affected, receive the care and support they 3
need. 4
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