Abstract
There are limited studies examining water consumption among individuals in hot climates. We assessed the daily total water intake from plain water, other beverages, and food in a nationally representative sample of children and adolescents aged 6–18 years in the United Arab Emirates. Total water intake was compared against the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine and the European Food Safety Authority. Sociodemographic information, 24 h dietary recall, physical activity levels, and anthropometric data were collected from 527 participants. The mean ± SE of total water intake was 1778.4 ± 33.8 mL/day. Plain drinking water was the largest contributor to total water intake (51.6%), followed by food (27.3%). Sugar-sweetened beverages constituted 13.9% of water intake. The proportion of participants who met the Institute of Medicine recommendations ranged from 15% (males aged 14–18) to 25% (children aged 6–8). The proportion of participants who met the European Food Safety Authority recommendations ranged from 31% (females aged 14–18) to 36% (males aged 14–18). The water-to-energy ratio was 1.0–1.15 L/1000 kcal, meeting recommendations. The majority of participants failed to meet water intake recommendations, highlighting the need for targeted interventions to promote increased water consumption among children and adolescents.
Highlights
Water is an essential nutrient and a major constituent of the human body
Inadequate water intake has been associated with an increased risk of developing hyperglycemia [4] and recurrent kidney stones [5]
Plain water, and water from food were significantly higher among adolescents compared to children (Table 2)
Summary
Water is an essential nutrient and a major constituent of the human body. It is vital to numerous physiological functions such as thermoregulation and transport of nutrients and waste products [1].A number of conditions can influence water needs, including ambient temperature, physical activity levels, and humidity. Water is an essential nutrient and a major constituent of the human body. It is vital to numerous physiological functions such as thermoregulation and transport of nutrients and waste products [1]. A number of conditions can influence water needs, including ambient temperature, physical activity levels, and humidity. Aside from water deficit, water intake is influenced by numerous factors such as culture, water availability, and sensory qualities of beverages, such as taste, color, flavor, and temperature [2]. Studies have shown that cardiovascular mortality is inversely associated with water intake [3]. Inadequate water intake has been associated with an increased risk of developing hyperglycemia [4] and recurrent kidney stones [5]. Children and Nutrients 2019, 11, 2110; doi:10.3390/nu11092110 www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
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