Eating Disorders Take Center Stage At Public Forum In Bucks County
By Kim Glovas
NEWTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Anorexia, bulimia, and other eating disorders will be discussed this afternoon at a hearing designed to provide more information to parents and children about the problems.
The hearing is being held from 2 to 3:45 p.m. at the Chancellor Center in Newtown, Bucks County by State Representative Steve Santasiero. He has some personal reasons for pursuing a bill which would teach parents and students about the disorders.
"My wife and I have friends whose children have had eating disorders," Santasiero said. "A former intern of mine battled it while she was in high school, and thankfully is now healthy. So it's out there, and I imagine that most people know somebody who has an eating disorder."
Santasiero's bill would focus on students in grades 5 through 12.
"Eating disorders are widespread across our state," he said. "Unfortunately, parents don't often see the warning signs of the problem and as a consequence, they are left untreated for far too long causing some pretty significant health consequences."
Testimony will be presented by a representative of the National Eating Disorders Association, a woman recovering from an eating disorder, and a parent who lost her daughter to one.
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