2015 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 13
BY SENATOR WALSWORTH
A RESOLUTION
To recognize Wednesday, April 29, 2015, as "Eating Disorder Awareness and Prevention
Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol.
WHEREAS, eating disorders develop as a result of an unhealthy relationship with
food and physical weight that can interfere with all areas of a person's life; and
WHEREAS, a person's thoughts become preoccupied with food, weight, or exercise,
resulting in a person struggling with unrealistic, self-critical evaluation and body image; and
WHEREAS, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders recognizes
anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other specified feeding and
eating disorders; and
WHEREAS, there are no conclusive causes of eating disorders, even with multiple
factors such as genetics, metabolism, and psychological issues that include self-control,
coping skills, trauma, personality factors, along with family and social issues; and
WHEREAS, more than fifty percent of adults with eating disorders meet the criteria
for depression, and fifty percent of children between the ages of eleven and thirteen see
themselves as overweight, making eating disorders one of the top five, most common
illnesses among adolescents in the United States; and
WHEREAS, only one in ten men and women with eating disorders receive treatment,
and only thirty-five percent of people receive treatment at specialized facilities; and
WHEREAS, approximately eight million women in the United States suffer from an
eating disorder, and up to twenty-four million people of all ages and genders also suffer from
an eating disorder; and
WHEREAS, the mortality rate associated with anorexia nervosa is twelve times
higher than the death rate associated with all causes of death for females between the ages
of fifteen and twenty-four; and
Page 1 of 2 SR NO. 13 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, in conjunction with the National Eating Disorder Association, the Miss
Louisiana and Miss America Scholarship organizations, there are numerous and successful
platforms that have been created to enhance inspiration, create renewed hope, and provide
added treatment facilities to those struggling with all eating disorders.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby recognize Wednesday, April 29, 2015, as "Eating Disorder Awareness and
Prevention Day" at the Louisiana State Capitol.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to Kelly
Bernard.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
Page 2 of 2