It's hot out there. Are your kids drinking enough water?
According to scientists at Harvard’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health, hydration among US children and teens is “inadequate.” Releasing a study in the American Journal of Public Health, they said that while none of their subjects approached fatal levels, mild dehydration had adverse effects on mood and performance in school. The study also reported that:
- Boys are at a higher risk of dehydration and require more water.
- An 8 fl. oz. increase in water intake results in a markedly lower risk of dehydration.
- Daily water intake can also be had from juicy fruits and vegetables.
So how can you get your kids to hydrate?
- Let your kids pick out a sippy cup or water bottle with a favorite character or color scheme on it.
- Silly straws!
- Freeze ice into fun shapes.
- Use frozen fruit as ice.
- Substitute frozen juice popsicles or soup.
Philadelphia’s Department of Public Health has issued its usual tips and advice on how residents can stay cool during the summer's heat.
- Drink water whenever you feel even slightly parched.
- Wear lightweight, loose-fitted clothing.
- Go to public spaces like public libraries or malls if you don’t have access to air-conditioning.
- Avoid the sun’s midday worst by staying indoors between 10am to 2pm.
- Recognize the signs of heat stress — nausea, lightheadedness and faintness — and seeking care if you feel any of these symptoms.
Make sure kids 1- to 3-years-old drink a minimum of 40 oz. of fluid per day. For kids older than 3, bump that up to 50 oz.
Sunil Chopade is a MetroKids intern and recent journalism graduate of Temple University.
