Questionnaire design to evaluate water balance.

Abstract

Introduction: Body water balance is determined by the difference between the sum of water intake and endogenous water production and the sum of losses. Several questionnaires have been developed to evaluate water intake through food and drinks. However, assessing water losses through different routes of elimination is more complicated. Thus, few questionnaires evaluate intake and loss of water at the same time. Objective: This study aims to develop a hydration questionnaire which can accurately determine the hydration status in the university population. Method: The questionnaire development process included 3 steps: (1) identifying all foods and beverages from Spanish food composition tables which have water content higher than 80% (w/w); (2) recognizing the drugs and pathologies that may compromise hydration status as well as important hydration habits such as daily fluid consumption; (3) compiling all items and developing the hydration questionnaire. Results: The final version of the hydration questionnaire comprises 24 items about hydration habits, relevant pathologies and questions related to regular fluid elimination (urination/defecation). In addition, it includes a brief food frequency questionnaire of the main water diet contributors. Conclusions: We have designed a comprehensive, short and simple screening tool to assess the population’s hydration status.