HOUSE MEMORIAL 104

52nd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2016

INTRODUCED BY

Deborah A. Armstrong

A MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE GOVERNOR TO PROCLAIM SEPTEMBER 19 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 23, 2016, "MALNUTRITION AWARENESS WEEK" IN NEW MEXICO.

     WHEREAS, malnutrition awareness week is taking place nationally from September 19 through September 23, 2016; and

     WHEREAS, the observance of malnutrition awareness week was first established in 2012 by the American society for parenteral and enteral nutrition, also known as "A.S.P.E.N."; and

     WHEREAS, A.S.P.E.N. has played a leading role in drawing attention to malnutrition, understanding that awareness is an important step toward treating the condition; and

     WHEREAS, A.S.P.E.N. defines malnutrition as an "acute, subacute or chronic state of poor nutrition", and it can be the result of either inadequate or unbalanced nutrition; and

     WHEREAS, even overweight individuals can be malnourished if they are not receiving proper nutrients; and

     WHEREAS, malnutrition can cause the loss of lean body mass, and that loss can affect recovery from surgery, illness or disease; and

     WHEREAS, malnutrition is particularly prevalent in vulnerable groups such as older adults, hospital patients and minority populations; and

     WHEREAS, statistics show higher incidences of such severe chronic diseases as diabetes, kidney disease and cardiovascular disease among individuals who are malnourished; and

     WHEREAS, many health experts agree that the quality of nutrition has a direct impact on an individual's health and that good nutrition can reduce medical costs by helping to keep people healthy and out of institutionalized care; and

     WHEREAS, two important tools in combating malnutrition are nutritional screening and therapeutic nutrition, through which individuals at risk are administered food and fluids to support their metabolism; and

     WHEREAS, the benefits of nutritional screening and therapeutic nutrition are myriad, yet they are not routine practices across the spectrum of health care; and

     WHEREAS, the New Mexico academy of nutrition and dietetics considers access to nutritional screening and therapeutic nutrition essential to restoring lean body mass, improving clinical outcomes, reducing health care costs and promoting good health; and

     WHEREAS, by gaining a more thorough understanding of malnutrition, New Mexico residents are able to better safeguard their health and to seek effective treatments; and

     WHEREAS, all those involved in sharing information about malnutrition are deserving of support;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO THAT the governor be requested to proclaim September 19 through September 23, 2016, as "Malnutrition Awareness Week" in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor and the chief executive officer of the American society of parenteral and enteral nutrition.

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