Eating Disorder Legislation Praised By Bucks Co. Lawmaker

YARDLEY, PA —Bucks County State Sen. Steve Santarsiero is praising the state House of Representatives for passing legislation that would require schools to annually provide educational information to parents with children in sixth through 12th grades about eating disorders.

and resources to help overcome them passed the Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Friday.

Santarsiero, who introduced the bill in 2013 while serving as a state representative, said he would work with his Senate colleagues to get House Bill 148 —sponsored by Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-46) —enacted.

“We have seen a dramatic rise in eating disorders in children and parents are often caught off guard, discovering the problem only after serious complications,” Sen. Santarsiero said. “HB 148, which I originally proposed as HB 1959 in 2013, is identical to my bill in the Senate, SB 623, and would help parents prevent eating disorders in their children, provide the information to recognize the problem sooner, and connect with resources for a full recovery.”

The bill would also direct the Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Health, to develop a task force, which would develop guidelines to provide parents with educational information regarding eating disorders.

“Social media has exacerbated unrealistic ideas about body size and image,” Ortitay said. “About 9 percent of the Commonwealth’s population will have an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating disorders are most likely to start between the ages of 14 and 25. By educating middle and high school students and their parents, I am hopeful those who need help will be identified quickly in order for them to receive the assistance they need to recover.”

HB 148 now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Santarsiero represents the 10th Senatorial District, which includes Yardley, Bristol, Bristol Township, Falls Township, Lower Makefield Township, Tullytown, and Morrisville.