61% of children do not drink enough, a study says
From Dr. Alessandro Zanasi of the Sanpellegrino Observatory some suggestions to educate children to drink more, especially during the summer
More than 1 in two children (61%) do not drink enough, this is the result of a study conducted on 305 subjects aged between 6 and 16 years. An alarming fact that underlines how, even today, the little ones are not educated to proper hydration. Water, especially during the summer, plays a fundamental role in the well-being and psycho-physical development of the organism, which parents very often underestimate.
In childhood, following a correct hydration can be difficult: in children, in fact, the stimulus of thirst is less developed than in adults and even when it is warned it does not guarantee the intake of the right amount of water.
Here are some simple and valuable tips from the expert from the Sanpellegrino Observatory Alessandro Zanasi, which can help parents make sure that the youngest drink an adequate amount of water to meet their daily needs, also in view of the holidays under the umbrella or city tours:
1. Make sure you always have a bottle of water available. An apparently obvious gesture that allows us to constantly offer water to the child even while traveling by car or on the beach;
2. Associate the gesture of drinking with specific moments of the day, for example at the beginning or at the end of fun activities, during main meals and snacks or before going to sleep. An easy way to make sure that your child takes a certain amount of water every day and that he gets used to remembering that drinking is important to stay healthy;
3. Use colored glasses and straws to make drinking water a fun time.
"These are simple tips, or tricks, which can be very useful to convey to children in a playful way the good habit of hydrating oneself correctly" - comments Dr. Alessandro Zanasi, expert of the San Pellegrino Observatory and member of the International Stockholm Water Foundation - " In this period, characterized by the heat and the days spent under the umbrella, it is important to drink constantly, especially for children who sweat, lose fluids and mineral salts, which if not reintegrated can increase the risk of dehydration. "
Water and children: what is the right amount?
Headaches and tiredness are some symptoms that children may experience when they drink too little. To preserve the psycho-physical well-being of children, pediatricians suggest, as for adults, to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day (7-10 year old child), with reference to a glass "made to measure" ( 150 ml). This is a general indication because: "The specific amount of water for each child must be calculated taking into account various factors, such as age, health condition and the type of physical activity performed, but also the external temperature, humidity of the environment - he concludes Dr. Zanasi - Finally, the diet, with the daily intake of at least 5 portions of seasonal fruit and vegetables contributes to replenish liquids as well as an important supply of micronutrients and fibers ”.