We cannot survive without water. It is incredibly important to keep
hydrated. Dehydration is defined as
fluid loss reducing the body mass.
Symptoms associated with mild dehydration include headaches, reduced
physical and cognitive performance, and fatigue. These all can have an impact
on a child’s productivity and performance in school (Gibson-Moore, 236).
 |
| Photo by Andre Larrow |
I understand the frustration that parents have, as I
was a child who refused to drink water because it “tasted bad”.
An English study evaluated 452 school
children between the ages of 9-11 and found that 60% of these children were not
hydrated enough. 71% of these children
did not drink enough during the day (Gibson-Moore, 236).
Another study concluded that if a child drinks one
more glass of water, it could improve their visual attention & their motor
skills. This study did not determine the level of hydration of the child prior
to giving them the glass of water (Gibson-Moore, 236).
Children have different requirements for water intake
based on their age. But older children
most often should drink between 6-8 glasses of water a day. There is water in other drinks. The UK Nutrition website contains information
about healthy hydration (British Nutrition Foundation). This is a wonderful website for you to find more information
Here are some tips into getting your child to drink
more water
1.
Bring your child to a store that sells water
bottles for children and let them pick out one that they like.
2.
Always pack a water bottle with them to school (British Nutrition Foundation)
3.
Try getting your child in the habit of drinking
a glass of water when he or she wakes up, and another one when they come home
from school.
4. There are plenty of alternatives that a child can drink - these are all listed HERE
Reference:
Gibson-Moore, H. "Improving
Hydration In Children: A Sensible Guide." Nutrition Bulletin 38.2
(2013): 236-242. Academic Search Complete. Web. 14 Mar. 2015.
“Hydration for Children.” British Nutrition Foundation. Web 14 Mar. 2015. http://www.nutrition.org.uk
Posts
0 comments