Fluid intake in Mexican adults; a cross-sectional study.

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Adequate hydration is essential for physiological functions like thermoregulation, kidney function, and cognitive performance.
• Existing recommendations for daily water intake vary significantly across different institutions.
• Understanding fluid consumption patterns is crucial for public health initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify the typical daily fluid consumption among a representative sample of the Mexican adult population.
• To assess the proportion of fluid intake from various beverage types, including water and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB).

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study involving 1,492 adults aged 18-65 across 16 Mexican cities.
• Self-reported fluid intake data were collected over seven consecutive days.
• Consumption of water, milk, hot beverages, SSB, alcoholic beverages, and other fluids was recorded.

Main Results:

• A significant majority of adults, 87.5% of males and 65.4% of females, consumed less than recommended daily fluid intake.
• Sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) constituted a larger proportion of fluid intake than plain water for 80% of the population.
• Fluid intake showed a decreasing trend with age, with no significant gender-based differences.

Conclusions:

• Findings suggest a widespread inadequacy in daily fluid consumption among the Mexican population.
• The high prevalence of SSB consumption over plain water indicates a potential public health concern.
• Results support policy recommendations promoting water intake and discouraging excessive consumption of caloric beverages for healthier lifestyles.