Bipartisan Senate Resolution Would Designate Malnutrition Awareness Week

WASHINGTON – A bipartisan resolution introduced by Sens. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., and Chuck Grassly, R-Iowa, would designate Oct. 5-9 “Malnutrition Awareness Week.”

Malnutrition is a significant problem in the United States and results from eating a diet which does not supply a healthy amount of one or more nutrients. This includes diets that have too few nutrients or so many that the diet causes health problems

The resolution recognizes registered dietitian nutritionists and other nutrition professionals, health care providers, social workers, and advocates for their efforts to advance awareness and prevent malnutrition. 

It also recognizes the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on vulnerable populations and supports emergency funding for federal nutrition programs to combat malnutrition. 

“It’s important to realize how malnutrition and food insecurity contributes to poor health outcomes — and this problem has only gotten worse with COVID-19,” Murphy said.

“Millions of Americans are going hungry, including the most vulnerable among us — seniors and kids. Increasing access to healthy, affordable food through our federal nutrition programs is critical to reducing malnutrition and improving quality of life,” he continued. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan resolution to help bring awareness to this serious problem we’re facing.”

“Food insecurity and insufficiency affects people of all ages and from all walks of life,” Grassley said. 

“As a long-time champion for American agriculture, I don’t hesitate to speak up for the family farm,” he said. “As we recognize Malnutrition Awareness Week this month, I’ll continue to stand strong for policies that allow farmers to be most productive, strengthen food security and ensure people across the nation have access to safe, affordable and nutritious food to eat.” 

Disease-associated malnutrition in older adults alone costs the United States more than $51.3 billion each year according to a 2017 report published by the National Council on Aging.

Joining Murphy and Grassley in introducing this bipartisan resolution are U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn.; Diane Feinstein, D-Calif.; Maggie Hassan, D-N.H.; Cory Booker, D-N.J.; Tina Smith, D-Minn.; Kyrsten Sinema, D-Ariz.; Joe Manchin, D-W.Va.; Angus King I-Maine; Chris Van Hollen, D-Md.; Kevin Cramer, R-N.D.; Ron Wyden, D-Ore. and Ben Cardin, D-Md.

Full text of the resolution can be found here.