On the recordFebruary 28, 2014
This week is National Eating Disorders Awareness Week, a time to learn more about eating disorders, what causes them, and how to best treat and prevent them. Eating disorders are widespread, affecting at least 14 million Americans, and are so common among our youth that at least one to two out of every 100 children in America has an eating disorder. Research has shown that while many eating disorders are caused by a genetic predisposition, environmental factors like peer pressure and false advertising can be overriding contributors. By the time our children turn 17, they have been exposed to over 250,000 television commercials depicting unrealistic body sizes. Too often this exposure leads to an eating disorder. I will offer legislation to look at how advertising can more closely resemble true human form. I look forward to working with my colleagues to fight this tragic epidemic of eating disorders. ____________________
