5ENdTE 
FLCE OF THE SECRETARV 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
. 8
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Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The Constitution provides that: 
Article 2, Section 15. The State shall protect and promote the right 
to health of the people and instill health consciousness among 
them. 
Article 13, Section 11. The State shall adopt an integrated and 
comprehensive approach to health development -xxx- There shall 
be priority for the needs of the underprivileged, sick, elderly, 
disabled, women, and children. 
In the U.S., an estimated 5,000,000 to 10,000,000 women and girls and 1,000,000 men 
and boys suffer from eating disorders, including anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge 
eating. There is also a noticeable rise in the incidence of eating disorders in Asian countries like 
the Philippines, North Korea, Japan, Taiwan, China, India, and Pakistan. 
Eating disorders can lead to death, According to the US. National Institute of Mental 
Health, 1 in 10 people with anorexia nervosa will die of starvation, cardiac arrest, or other 
medical complications. Anorexia nervosa is associated with serious health consequences 
including heart failure, kidney failure, osteoporosis, and death. It has the highest mortality rate 
of all psychiatric disorders. Bulimia nervosa is associated with cardiac, gastrointestinal, dental 
problems, irregular heartbeats, gastric rupture, and peptic ulcer. Binge eating is associated with 
obesity, heart disease, gall bladder disease, and diabetes. 
Eating disorders usually begin in adolescence and are associated with substantial 
psychological problems, including depression, substance abuse, and suicide. 
This bill seeks to provide schools and parents with the means and flexibility to detect and 
prevent eating disorders among students. 


! 
SENPTE 
@FICE OF THE SECRETARY 
THIRTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE REPUBLIC ) 
OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
Introduced by Senator Miriam Defensor Santiigo 
0 
AN ACT 
TO PROVIDE EATING DISORDERS AWARENESS, PREVENTION, 
AND EDUCATION AMONG ELEMENTARY, SECONDARY, AND 
COLLEGE STUDENTS, THEIR PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the 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 of 2005.” 
SECTION 2. Definition of Terms. -As used in this Act, the following terms shall mean: 
(a) “Eating disorder” is 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” is an eating disorder characterized by self-starvation and 
excessive weight loss. 
(c) “Bulimia nervosa” is 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” is characterized by frequent episodes of uncontrolled 
overeating. 
(e) “Schools” are the elementary, secondary, and college educational institutions. 
(f) “DepEd” is the Department of Education. 
(g) “CHED is the Commission on Higher Education. 


(h) “DOH” is the Department of Health. 
(i) “Congress” is both the Senate and House of Representatives. 
SECTION 3. Innovative Assistance for the Identification ox Training on, and 
Educational Awareness of Eating Disorders. - The DepEd, CHED, and DOH shall provide 
programs to: 
(1) 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; 
(2) increase awareness of such disorders among parents and students; and 
(3) 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. Public Service Announcemenfs. - 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 - 
(1) determine the prevalence of eating disorders among students and the 
morbidity and mortality rates associated with eating disorders; 
(2) 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; 
(3) 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 
(4) 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 S. Effectivity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in at least two newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved,