Mr. Speaker, I take this opportunity to remind members of the House and all Canadians that February 1 to 7 marks Eating Disorders Awareness Week. The theme is: Breaking free-Celebrating our sizes.
The National Eating Disorder Centre and support groups across Canada will address a key concern about weight obsession and negative body image particularly among women. The goal this year is to increase awareness of the psycho-social factors which contribute to the development of anorexia, bulimia, or weight preoccupation and those that prevent eating disorders from occurring.
During the week, information through public forums and exhibits will be provided to Canadians to dispel myths and direct them to appropriate resources.
I am delighted that the messages of this week are consistent with the actions of Health Canada to promote a sense of well-being as well as healthy weights. Healthy bodies come in a variety of shapes and sizes and a good weight is a healthy weight, not just a low weight.
I would like to congratulate the National Eating Disorder Centre for its work on raising awareness of this important health matter.