The body of a child, like that of an adult, is largely made up of water.
About 60% of the typical adult human body is made up of water, but the percentage is strongly influenced by the level of body fat. The higher the level of fat, the smaller the fraction of body weight that is made up of water. In newborn children the percentage of the body that is made up of water reaches around 75% and this falls during growth and maturation. Infants and young children may be especially at risk of dehydration due to diarrhoea and vomiting. Because they often cannot communicate their needs, those looking after them need to be alert to the possibility of dehydration , especially during hot weather or during periods of illness.
Active children playing games in hot weather may lose large amounts of sweat, but they are often so involved in what they are doing that they forget to drink. Those looking after them may need to offer periodic reminders.
There is some evidence that providing drinks to children can help them to perform better in standardised tests of concentration, short term memory and other essential elements of the learning process. More evidence is needed before definitive guidelines can be given, but teachers may need to make sure that there are opportunities for drinking during the school day and that children are reminded to make use of these opportunities.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)* has concluded that adequate intakes of water for children are as follows: 1,300 mL/day for boys and girls 2 to 3 years of age; 1,600 mL/day for boys and girls 4 to 8 years of age; 2,100 mL/day for boys 9 to 13 years of age; 1,900 mL for girls 9 to 13 years of age. Adolescents of 14 years and older are considered as adults with respect to adequate water intake and the adult values apply.
About 60% of the typical adult human body is made up of water, but the percentage is strongly influenced by the level of body fat. The higher the level of fat, the smaller the fraction of body weight that is made up of water. In newborn children the percentage of the body that is made up of water reaches around 75% and this falls during growth and maturation. Infants and young children may be especially at risk of dehydration due to diarrhoea and vomiting. Because they often cannot communicate their needs, those looking after them need to be alert to the possibility of dehydration , especially during hot weather or during periods of illness.
Active children playing games in hot weather may lose large amounts of sweat, but they are often so involved in what they are doing that they forget to drink. Those looking after them may need to offer periodic reminders.
There is some evidence that providing drinks to children can help them to perform better in standardised tests of concentration, short term memory and other essential elements of the learning process. More evidence is needed before definitive guidelines can be given, but teachers may need to make sure that there are opportunities for drinking during the school day and that children are reminded to make use of these opportunities.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)* has concluded that adequate intakes of water for children are as follows: 1,300 mL/day for boys and girls 2 to 3 years of age; 1,600 mL/day for boys and girls 4 to 8 years of age; 2,100 mL/day for boys 9 to 13 years of age; 1,900 mL for girls 9 to 13 years of age. Adolescents of 14 years and older are considered as adults with respect to adequate water intake and the adult values apply.