At the end of the three days, the men were weighed, and as no abnormal weight loss were noted, the K-ration was deemed successful.

The report also said inadequate staffing has contributed to an increase in severe bedsores, malnutrition and abnormal weight loss among nursing home residents.

In a report to Congress based on eight years of exhaustive research, the Clinton administration says that understaffing has contributed to an increase in the incidence of severe bedsores, malnutrition and abnormal weight loss among nursing home residents.

The fewer nurses and nurses' aides on staff, the less individual attention the 1.6 million frail elderly residents get, the more bedsores, malnutrition, abnormal weight loss and depression they suffer, and, in all probability, the faster they die.