Sen. Dodd Recognizes Eating Disorder Awareness Week
SACRAMENTO – Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, announced a resolution today designating the week of Feb. 21 as Eating Disorder Awareness Week, bringing attention to a serious problem affecting 30 million Americans while underscoring the need for prevention.
“Eating disorders are serious conditions that are potentially life-threatening and have a great impact on our physical and emotional health,” Sen. Dodd said. “We must improve the public’s understanding of the causes, encourage early intervention and lay to rest the stigma of this pervasive affliction. As someone who’s had a loved one suffer from an eating disorder, I know how difficult it can be, but with support recovery is possible.”
Sen. Dodd’s resolution raises awareness of a range of disorders affecting men and women across all backgrounds. Conditions include anorexia, bulimia and binge-eating disorders. This year’s theme, “Come as You Are: Hindsight is 20/20,” will focus on alerting the public to environmental and biological causes as well as empowering people to reduce personal risk factors for developing eating disorders.
California Treasurer Fiona Ma is a co-sponsor. Supporters include the National Eating Disorders Association, American Nurses Association-California, Cielo House and the Eating Disorders Resource Center.
“For too long the media has focused on women needing to be thin to be beautiful,” said Treasurer Fiona Ma. “I remember struggling in college and being forced to look inward to correct unhealthy eating habits. Eating disorders are the third most common chronic illness among adolescent women in the U.S., and 10 million men in the U.S. will suffer from one in their lifetime. De-stigmatizing this conversation and talking openly is the best way to take our power back, and I’m proud to work once again along my longtime friend and colleague, Sen. Dodd, to make sure we do not let these disorders define us.”
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Senator Bill Dodd represents the 3rd Senate District, which includes all or portions of Napa, Yolo, Sonoma, Solano, Sacramento and Contra Costa counties. More information on Senator Bill Dodd can be found at www.senate.ca.gov/dodd.