HLS 15RS-3101 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 87
BY REPRESENTATIVE WOODRUFF
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Designates September 28 through October 2, 2015, as
Malnutrition Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To designate September 28 through October 2, 2015, as Malnutrition Awareness Week in
3 the state of Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, leading health and nutrition experts recognize that nutrition status is a
5direct measure of patient health, and good nutrition can keep people healthy and out of
6institutionalized healthcare facilities while reducing healthcare costs; and
7 WHEREAS, inadequate or unbalanced nutrition is known as malnutrition; while
8malnutrition is not frequently viewed as a medical concern in the United States, malnutrition
9is prevalent in older adults, hospitalized patients, and minority populations; such populations
10have the highest incidences of the most severe chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney
11disease, and cardiovascular disease; and
12 WHEREAS, illness, injury, and malnutrition can result in the loss of lean body mass
13and can lead to complications that impact good patient health outcomes, such complications
14include surgery recovery, illness, or disease; elderly adults lose lean body mass at a faster
15rate and to a greater extent than younger adults; and
16 WHEREAS, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition defines
17malnutrition in adults as a condition in which adult patients lack adequate calories, protein,
18or other nutrients necessary for tissue maintenance and repair; pediatric malnutrition is
19defined as an imbalance in infants and children between nutrient requirement and intake, this
20imbalance results in cumulative deficits of energy, protein, or micronutrients that may
21negatively affect growth, development, and other relevant outcomes; and
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HR NO. 87
1 WHEREAS, therapeutic nutrition is defined as the administration of food and fluids
2to support the metabolic processes of a patient who is malnourished or is at a high risk of
3becoming malnourished; and
4 WHEREAS, despite the link between good nutrition and good health, nutrition
5screening and therapeutic nutrition treatment are not incorporated as medical treatments in
6healthcare; and
7 WHEREAS, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and other
8state and local organizations support access to therapeutic nutrition as an essential element
9in restoring lean body mass, resolving malnutrition challenges, improving clinical outcomes,
10reducing healthcare costs, and promoting good health.
11 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
12Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate September 28 through October 2, 2015, as
13Malnutrition Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana and does hereby recognize the
14benefits of routine nutrition screening and therapeutic nutritional intervention.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 87 Original 2015 Regular Session Woodruff
Designates September 28–October 2, 2015, as Malnutrition Awareness Week in La.
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