Eating Disorders are a serious threat to public health and will affect nearly 30 million Americans at some point in their life. These conditions can be devastating with severe and lasting health consequences. The case fatality rate for eating disorders is among the highest for any mental illness. These illnesses often start in childhood or adolescence and can affect individuals of any gender, age, race/ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, body shape, and weight. The good news is that eating disorders are preventable and treatable, and early recognition may prevent the development of eating disorders. If schools included eating disorders prevention along with other health initiatives already in schools across the country, countless children and families could be spared the devastating effects of eating disorders. By requiring programming for the prevention of eating disorders in schools, this legislation could help to prevent and reduce the incidence of eating disorders in adolescents.
Below you will find important materials to help you bring this important advocacy effort to your state and community:
