RESOLUTION NO. 220185
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Declaring February 21-February 27, 2022, as National Eating Disorder Awareness Week throughout the City of Kansas City, Missouri.
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WHEREAS, this year’s theme for National Eating Disorder Awareness Week, “See the Change, Be the Change” recognizing change within the ever-evolving eating disorder field, and the important work of advocacy, awareness, and community building; and
WHEREAS, this year’s theme recognizes that misconceptions about eating disorders can leave people feeling helpless, hopeless, and frightened, while work in building visibility and awareness of resources resulted in a 107% increase in contacts made to the National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA) Hotline since the start of COVID-19; and
WHEREAS, eating disorders are serious but treatable mental and physical illnesses that affect 28.8 million Americans at some point in their lives no matter their gender, age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, body shape or weight with the chances of recovery increasing the earlier an eating disorder is detected; and
WHEREAS, every 52 minutes someone dies as a direct result of an eating disorder; and
WHEREAS, Black, Indigenous and People of Color are 50% less likely to be diagnosed and receive treatment, and are significantly less likely to be asked by a doctor about eating disorder symptoms; and
WHEREAS, gay men are seven times more likely to report binge-eating and twelve times more likely to report purging than heterosexual men, transgender college students report experiencing disordered eating approximately 4 times the rate of their cisgendered classmates; and
WHEREAS, through awareness we encourage those suffering from an eating disorder to seek support, treatment, and care from our local resources; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF KANSAS CITY:
That the Mayor and Council hereby declare February 21 - February 27, 2022, as Eating Disorder Awareness Week throughout the City of Kansas City, Missouri; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Resolution be spread upon the Minutes of the Council in testimony thereof and that a copy hereof be presented to Justin Short for his efforts in advocating for the LGBTQ community and all those suffering from eating disorders with the gratitude of the Mayor and Council and encouraging all citizens to increase awareness, education, and services for eating disorders which impact millions of people each year.
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