COLUMBUS—Today, Senate Minority Leader Kenny Yuko (D-Richmond Heights) introduced Senate Bill 245 to designate the week starting on the last Monday of February as Eating Disorders Awareness Week.

“It is important that we understand the struggles that many of our friends and family members go through,” said Senator Yuko. “Dedicating a week to raise awareness for eating disorders is a first step to help educate Ohioans about this public health problem and to fight the stigma that unfortunately is still associated with these life-threatening disorders.”

According to the National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA), 20 million women and 10 million men in America suffer from an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Eating disorders often affect teenagers, but psychologists and doctors have diagnosed an increasing number of children and adults with these illnesses. The most common forms of eating disorders include anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and binge eating.

“Many people in Ohio are affected and we want to encourage them to seek help,” said Senator Yuko. “NEDA has a Help and Support section on their website that helps people find treatment and support in their local area.”