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. 2015 Aug;105(8):e113-8.
doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302572. Epub 2015 Jun 11.

Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2012

Erica L Kenney  1 , Michael W Long  1 , Angie L Cradock  1 , Steven L Gortmaker  1
Affiliations

Prevalence of Inadequate Hydration Among US Children and Disparities by Gender and Race/Ethnicity: National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2009-2012

Erica L Kenney et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: We evaluated the hydration status of US children and adolescents.

Methods: The sample included 4134 participants aged 6 to 19 years in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2009 to 2012. We calculated mean urine osmolality and the proportion with inadequate hydration (urine osmolality > 800 mOsm/kg). We calculated multivariable regression models to estimate the associations between demographic factors, beverage intake, and hydration status.

Results: The prevalence of inadequate hydration was 54.5%. Significantly higher urine osmolality was observed among boys (+92.0 mOsm/kg; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 69.5, 114.6), non-Hispanic Blacks (+67.6 mOsm/kg; 95% CI = 31.5, 103.6), and younger children (+28.5 mOsm/kg; 95% CI = 8.1, 48.9) compared with girls, Whites, and older children, respectively. Boys (OR = 1.76; 95% CI = 1.49, 2.07) and non-Hispanic Blacks (odds ratio [OR] = 1.34; 95% CI = 1.04, 1.74) were also at significantly higher risk for inadequate hydration. An 8-fluid-ounce daily increase in water intake was associated with a significantly lower risk of inadequate hydration (OR = 0.96; 95% CI = 0.93, 0.98).

Conclusions: Future research should explore drivers of gender and racial/ethnic disparities and solutions for improving hydration status.

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Comment in

  • Voluntary, Nonintentional Dehydration and Health.
    Urkin J, Bar-David Y. Urkin J, et al. Am J Public Health. 2015 Nov;105(11):e7. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2015.302857. Epub 2015 Sep 17. Am J Public Health. 2015. PMID: 26378838 Free PMC article. No abstract available.

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