Hydration in Children: What Do We Know and Why Does it Matter?

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Nutrition
• Public Health
• Hydration Science

Background:

• Adequate fluid intake and hydration are crucial for children's physiological health and establishing lifelong healthy drinking habits.
• The Liq.In7 surveys revealed that 60% of children (4-17 years) across 13 countries did not meet the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) adequate water intake from fluids.
• The quality of fluid intake is also a concern, with sugar-sweetened beverages and fruit juices contributing more to total fluid intake than water in 6 out of 13 countries.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the adequacy of fluid intake in children.
• To investigate the relationship between fluid intake, hydration status, and cognitive performance.
• To identify barriers to water consumption at school and propose interventions.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional surveys (Liq.In7) involving 6,469 children aged 4-17 years from 13 countries.
• Assessment of fluid intake quantity and quality, including contributions from various beverage types.
• Utilized urinary biomarkers (urine osmolality, specific gravity, color) to evaluate hydration status.

Main Results:

• A significant proportion of children (60%) failed to meet recommended water intake levels.
• Urinary biomarker data suggest many children exhibit signs of insufficient fluid intake (highly concentrated urine).
• Children consumed only 14% of their total fluid intake at school, a critical period for cognitive function.

Conclusions:

• Insufficient fluid intake and suboptimal hydration are prevalent in children, potentially affecting cognitive performance.
• There is a critical need to address barriers to water consumption in schools.
• Multicomponent interventions combining educational, environmental, and behavioral strategies are recommended to promote adequate hydration and support children's cognition.