Parents body mass index as modulator of fluid intake habits among their children.

Abstract

Introduction: Overweight and obesity is a growing health problem nowadays. Its relationship with inadequate life habits (including low fluid intake) is an added problem. Objective: To evaluate fluid intake by school children of the Community of Madrid according to body mass index (BMI) of their parents. Method: 564 schoolchildren (258 boys and 306 girls) aged 9-12 years, were studied. Data on fluid intake was obtained by applying a food intake record (3 days). BMI of children was calculated by measured weight and height. BMI of parents was calculated by weight and height self-reported by parents and it was classified according to WHO criteria (2000). Statistical data was obtained using SPSS (v 19.0). Results: 23.4% children had mothers with overweight/obesity (BMI ≥25 kg/m2). Fluid intake of these children was lower (1,465.52±390.3 mL/day) than those whose mother′s BMI below 25 kg/m2 (1,532.13±384.45 mL/day). BMI of children increased according to parents BMI, even more in the case of father BMI (r=0.243) vs mother BMI (r=0.199) (p<0.05). There were no differences in water intake of children considering BMI of fathers. Conclusions: Most of the studied children had an inadequate water intake. Higher BMI of mothers is linked with lower fluid intake in their descendants, and higher BMI of parents is associated to higher BMI in children. This group needs special counseling to improve their patterns of hydration. Acknowledgements: This study was performed with financial help from the FISS (project number PI060318).