Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
During the recent years, there has been an increase in rates of body satisfaction among the youth 
globally. In Asia, there has been a growing prevalence of eating disorders among the youth. 
Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa and others, have detrimental health 
consequences such as obesity, heart disease, gall bladder disease, and diabetes, heart failure, 
kidney failure, osteoporosis, and death. Anorexia nervosa has the highest mortality rate of all 
psychiatric disorders—making an young woman twelve (12) times more likely to die than other 
women her age without anorexia.  
Considering this detrimental health consequences, it is the responsibility of the State to adopt 
measures towards the identification and prevention of eating disorders especially among the 
youth. As eating disorders typically begin during adolescence, this measure seeks to (1) provide 
increase public awareness on eating disorders; and (2) capacitate and provide parents, guardians 
and educators the means and flexibility to improve awareness of, identify, and help students with 
eating disorders. 
On behalf of the people of Parañaque City’s Second District, and for the common good of the 
Filipino people, the approval of the said measure is earnestly sought. 
REP. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
2nd District, Parañaque City 
April 9, 2021
9:09 PM
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _______ 
Introduced by HON. JOY MYRA S. TAMBUNTING 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, AND EDUCATION 
AMONG SECONDARY AND TERTIARY STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This act shall be known as “Eating Disorders Awareness, Prevention, 
and Education Act.”  
SECTION 2. Declaration of Policy. – It is the policy of the State to protect and promote the 
right to health of the people and instill health consciousness among them. Pursuant to this, the 
State must adopt measures to address the prevalence of eating disorders among the youth. 
Towards this end, this measure seeks to (1) provide increase public awareness on eating 
disorders; and (2) capacitate and provide parents, guardians and educators the means and 
flexibility to improve awareness of, identify, and help students with eating disorders.  
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. – As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
a) “Eating disorder” means a disturbance in eating behavior, such as extreme and unhealthy
reduction of food intake (anorexia nervosa) or severe overeating (bulimia nervosa and/or
binge eating disorder), as well as feelings of distress or extreme concern about body shape
or weight.
b) “Anorexia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and
excessive weight loss.
c) “Bulimia nervosa” means an eating disorder characterized by excessive food consumption
followed by inappropriate compensatory behaviors, such as self-induced vomiting, misuse
of laxatives, fasting, or excessive exercise.
d) “Binge eating disorder” means frequent episodes of uncontrolled overeating.
e) “Schools” mean the elementary, secondary, and college educational institutions.
f)
“DepEd” means the Department of Education.
g) “CHED” means the Commission on Higher Education.
h) “DOH” is the Department of Health.
i)
“Congress” means both the Senate and House of Representatives.
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SECTION 3. Identification of, Training on, and Educational Awareness of Eating 
Disorders. – The DepEd, CHED, and DOH shall provide programs to: 
a) Improve the identification of students with eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia 
nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other eating disorders not otherwise specified, in order 
that they may receive appropriate medical treatment; 
b) Increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and 
c) Train educators such as teachers, school nurses, school social workers, coaches, school 
counselors, and administrators on effective eating disorder prevention and assistance 
methods. 
 
SECTION 4. Implementation of Public Education Campaign. – The Secretary of DepEd 
and the Chairman of CHED, in consultation with the Secretary of DOH, shall carry out a program 
to develop, distribute, and promote the broadcasting of public service announcements to improve 
public awareness, and to promote the identification and prevention, of eating disorders.  
 
SECTION 5. Eating Disorders Research and Report. – Not later than eighteen months after 
the enactment of this Act, the DepEd, the CHED, and the DOH shall conduct a study on the impact 
eating disorders have on educational advancement and achievement. The study shall –  
 
a) Determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and the morbidity and 
mortality rates associated with eating disorders; 
b) Evaluate the extent to which students with eating disorders are more likely to miss school, 
have delayed rates of development, or have reduced cognitive skills; 
c) Report on current national and local programs to educate youth about the dangers of 
eating disorders, as well as evaluate the value of such programs; and 
d) Make recommendations on measures that could be undertaken to strengthen eating 
disorder prevention and awareness programs. 
 
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision of this Act is held invalid or 
unconstitutional, the remainder of the Act or the provision not otherwise affected shall remain 
valid and subsisting.  
 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – Any law, presidential decree or issuance, executive order, 
letter of instruction, administrative rule or regulation contrary to or inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act is hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly.   
 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication 
in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,