Water Intake of U.S. Children

October 13/Flushing, N.Y./Food Weekly News -- Research findings, "Contributors of Water Intake in U.S. Children and Adolescents: Associations with Dietary and Meal Characteristics -- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006," are discussed in a new report. According to recent research from the United States, "Little is known about the association of contributors of total water intake with dietary characteristics in U.S. children. We examined intakes of total water and its contributors and their associations with diet and meal reporting in children and adolescents."

"Dietary data for children 2-19 years of age (n=3978) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006 were used to compute usual intake of total water. The association of total water and its contributors with sociodemographic characteristics and dietary and meal attributes was examined by using multiple regression analysis. The adjusted mean intakes of total water in Americans aged 2-5, 6-11, and 12-19 years were 1.4, 1.6, and 2.4 L, respectively. The mean usual intake of total water was generally less than the Adequate Intake; overall, more boys reported intakes of at least the Adequate Intake. The percentage of total water intake from plain water increased with age. Plain water intake was inversely associated with the intake of beverage moisture and the energy density of foods; conversely, beverage moisture was positively associated with dietary energy, fat, and the energy density of foods. Associations of water contributors with meal patterns (number of eating occasions, reporting of breakfast or snack) were inconsistent across age groups. Nearly 80% of food moisture, >66% of beverage moisture, and 30% of plain water were reported with main meals. Intake of total water over 24 hours from different contributors varied by age. Qualitative differences in dietary intake in association with the amount of plain water and beverage moisture in the recalls were observed," wrote A.K. Kant and colleagues, City University of New York.

The researchers concluded, "American children and adolescents consumed more than two-thirds of their daily beverages with main meals."

Kant and colleagues published their study in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition ("Contributors of Water Intake in U.S. Children and Adolescents: Associations with Dietary and Meal Characteristics -- National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2006," The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 2010;92(4):887-96).

For additional information, contact A.K. Kant, Queens College of City University of New York, Dept. of Family, Nutrition and Exercise Sciences, Flushing, N.Y. 11367.

From the October 18, 2010, Prepared Foods E-dition