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House adopts resolution recognizing Eating Disorder Action Week after members share personal testimony
Summary
The Arkansas House adopted House Resolution 1051 recognizing Eating Disorder Action Week after members described personal and community impacts during floor debate.
The Arkansas House on Thursday adopted House Resolution 1051, designating Eating Disorder Action Week as a time to raise awareness, promote education and encourage early intervention and treatment for eating disorders.
The resolution’s sponsor, Representative Garner, told colleagues the measure aims to prompt "medical professionals, educators, and policy makers to take action" and asked members for a favorable vote. The resolution passed by voice vote and was formally adopted.
Why it matters: Supporters said the resolution underscores the human and public-health costs of eating disorders and calls for broader education and early intervention. Several members used floor time to offer first‑hand accounts of living with eating disorders and urged the chamber to treat the issue seriously.
Representative Garner said the resolution reflects years of work and thanked Arkansas Children’s Hospital and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences eating-disorders team for their assistance. Garner told the House the issue affects people across ages and communities and asked members to "please help me thank" medical partners who assisted drafting the resolution.
During debate multiple members gave personal testimony. One member described long-term struggles with anorexia and bulimia and recounted nearing hospitalization, saying, "It's about control ... it's about your lack of self worth." Another member, who said she had eaten "300 calories or less a day for many years," described multiple hospitalizations and long-term medical consequences and urged colleagues to increase education and support.
The sponsor closed by thanking advocates and medical professionals who contributed to the resolution and asked for the "good vote." The clerk announced adoption by voice vote; the record shows the House adopted House Resolution 1051.
The resolution does not create funding or a new program; it is an expression of the chamber recognizing the week and encouraging outreach and awareness efforts.
The House moved on to other business after adopting the resolution.
