ENROLLED
2015 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 87
BY REPRESENTATIVE WOODRUFF
A RESOLUTION
To designate September 28 through October 2, 2015, as Malnutrition Awareness Week in
the state of Louisiana.
WHEREAS, leading health and nutrition experts recognize that nutrition status is a
direct measure of patient health, and good nutrition can keep people healthy and out of
institutionalized healthcare facilities while reducing healthcare costs; and
WHEREAS, inadequate or unbalanced nutrition is known as malnutrition; while
malnutrition is not frequently viewed as a medical concern in the United States, malnutrition
is prevalent in older adults, hospitalized patients, and minority populations; such populations
have the highest incidences of the most severe chronic illnesses such as diabetes, kidney
disease, and cardiovascular disease; and
WHEREAS, illness, injury, and malnutrition can result in the loss of lean body mass
and can lead to complications that impact good patient health outcomes, such complications
include surgery recovery, illness, or disease; elderly adults lose lean body mass at a faster
rate and to a greater extent than younger adults; and
WHEREAS, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition defines
malnutrition in adults as a condition in which adult patients lack adequate calories, protein,
or other nutrients necessary for tissue maintenance and repair; pediatric malnutrition is
defined as an imbalance in infants and children between nutrient requirement and intake, this
imbalance results in cumulative deficits of energy, protein, or micronutrients that may
negatively affect growth, development, and other relevant outcomes; and
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WHEREAS, therapeutic nutrition is defined as the administration of food and fluids
to support the metabolic processes of a patient who is malnourished or is at a high risk of
becoming malnourished; and
WHEREAS, despite the link between good nutrition and good health, nutrition
screening and therapeutic nutrition treatment are not incorporated as medical treatments in
healthcare; and
WHEREAS, the American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition and other
state and local organizations support access to therapeutic nutrition as an essential element
in restoring lean body mass, resolving malnutrition challenges, improving clinical outcomes,
reducing healthcare costs, and promoting good health.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby designate September 28 through October 2, 2015, as
Malnutrition Awareness Week in the state of Louisiana and does hereby recognize the
benefits of routine nutrition screening and therapeutic nutritional intervention.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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