Statement of Representative Nita Lowey at the APA Co-Sponsored Congressional Briefing

Thank you very much, I am truly honored to have the privilege to introduce this legislation that is so very important, and we are truly honored to be joined by such a distinguished panel. I am particularly pleased that so many of our congressional staff are here today because we hope you take the message back to all your members of how very vital this issue is. I'm thankful to the SPSSI, the APA, Promoting Life-Long Education about Self-Esteem and the Harvard Eating Disorders Center.

I have daughter who went to Swarthmore and she's very aware. As I found out it's not just at Swarthmore, it's everywhere. Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders are rampant in our society. Approximately 8 million Americans suffer from eating disorders. Over 90% of people suffering from this diseases are women. Eating disorders is a women's health issue and demands national attention. And yet what's amazing to me is that as we began looking into this issue there is really no federal effort to educate the public about them, and too often women who have this disease just cringe alone in private and are not willing to share it or not aware that they have a problem. And there are thousands and thousands of such women around the country and around the world.

I'm very proud to have introduced with my colleague Louise Slaughter who, unfortunately, because of a death in the family could not be here today to discuss the Eating Disorders Information and Education Act of 1997. What our bill does is create an education program about eating disorders at HHS. It also establishes a 24-hour hotline toll free that sufferers and their families can call to receive referrals for services or other information about eating disorder. It is so shocking that even though eating disorders are curable, the majority of people with them suffer for years, and as I mentioned too often suffer alone. Over 1/3 suffer for more than 6 years and incredibly half of those suffering are never cured. Eating disorders have a devastating and often deadly impact on those afflicted with the disease and I believe that it's our responsibility to educate at the federal level and the first step is better awareness.

I want to thank all of you for coming to take the message back. I want to thank our distinguished panel again for all your work in this area and I hope you continue the work you do to educate the public and hopefully bring an end to all the suffering that exists. Thank you very much.

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