In this generation, children and teens are more preoccupied with obtaining WiFi passwords than reminding themselves to drink water.
Not to mention that this generation offers many distractions that could reroute young people's minds and focus and leave them careless about their health.
Parents play an important role in ensuring their children get enough water daily. However, what happens if the children are not looking out for their parents?
Do they drink water regularly at school or a friend's house? Do they instill in themselves the discipline to stay hydrated when their parents are out for work?
Those are examples of situations that are no longer within parents' control.
So, how do you ensure your kids drink the sufficient amount of water they need?
Why Should Kids Drink Water?
Water is essential for overall health. Our bodies are mainly composed of water and depend on it to function properly. On the other hand, kids have a higher water percentage than adults.
Hence, they need to drink more water than the average person.
Water keeps you hydrated and helps your body function well throughout the day. It is also important for protecting your skin, organs, and whole body.
The human body wastes water daily through sweating, talking, breathing, eating, and even minor physical tasks. These alone use up 30 to 40 percent of the water, which needs to be replaced regularly by drinking water.
Kids are considered to be more hyperactive as compared to adults. They engage in playful activities that require muscular movements, allowing them to sweat heavily. Furthermore, they are fond of talking endlessly because of their wild imaginations and fictional fantasies.
Therefore, they are prone to losing more water than normal and are more likely to need water.
The young are not yet mindful of their health and do not comprehend the importance of caring for it. So, they tend to be carefree and do, eat, and drink whatever they want. If they feel thirsty, they do not consciously drink water because it is good.
Instead, they choose whatever is in your fridge. When at school or outside of home, they will most likely choose a beverage with different flavors because it is more interesting to their taste buds than water.
Nonetheless, kids are curious and explorers of nature. They tend to choose activities that tickle their creativity and challenge their thinking.
The Importance of Having Kids Drink Water Regularly
On average, the human body is suggested to have 60 percent of the water. In addition, kids have a higher percentage of water in their bodies than adults. Hence, the more important and needed thing is for kids to drink water regularly.
Whenever parents try to introduce water to their children, especially when it is important to their bodies, there is usually a lot of negotiation. If their parents are trying to offer their children water, the most common question children ask is, "Why?"
Although our bodies may contain different amounts of water depending on certain factors, water offers everyone the same benefits.
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Water regulates the body's temperature, helping us avoid getting too cold or hot in certain weather or climate conditions.
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The kidneys remove toxins and waste from the body through urination and regular bowel movements.
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Water is the carrying machine for nutrients to enter and spread to our bodies.
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Water is a lubrication device that helps keep our muscles and joints functioning smoothly.
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It protects and rejuvenates the skin, preventing it from becoming vulnerable to skin problems or diseases.
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Generally, water enables our whole body to act and function normally. It keeps us in a healthy state to easily reach our optimum potential, which is needed for a day-to-day encounter with tasks and activities.
When our body loses water, even 5 percent, it poses minor risks to our health. It can cause headaches, dry mouth, irritability or mood swings, tiredness, and confusion and prevent regular heart rates.
If kids stay in a situation in which they are hydrated, their ability to think and comprehend will be seriously affected. In the long run, it could result in an inability to learn and poor performance in school and as a kid.
They may not be able to challenge their cognitive capabilities and mental capacities.
Dehydration is common among Kids.
Studies have shown that 8 out of 10 kids are found to have mild dehydration.
In addition, children ages 6 to 19 drink less water than they should normally, resulting in dehydration in most children.
The American Journal of Public Health also published a study that stated a significant difference in racial differences regarding dehydration. It is found that kids from the black race are prone to becoming more hydrated than white kids.
The reason might be the unequal allocation of water supplies in specific supplies, substandard maintenance of water utilities or systems, or water availability barely reachable to the black community.
Dehydration, in this sense, could be mild or severe, depending on how the situation is addressed. It has also been tested that kids find it difficult to drink water because they usually choose sugary drinks.
Scientists from different universities have been studying how to encourage children to drink more water and choose water regularly.
The Institute of Medicine has clarified that children and teenagers should drink at least two to three quarts of water daily. This ensures that they stay hydrated and healthy no matter what physical activities are in store for them.
Research also advises that boys should drink more water as opposed to girls.
The good news is that it is easy and quick for kids to rehydrate if they get dehydrated. Simply make it a routine to let them drink more water.
Unfortunately, inadequate hydration can seriously lead to major health and mental problems for kids and teens. The longer they stay dehydrated and do not immediately address the issue by drinking water, the worse their current health situation becomes.
Certain cities or local areas have difficulty providing kids or people with drinking water. Even if they can, the problem is whether the water is safe, healthy, and reliable.
Therefore, a bigger question arises: "How can you ensure your kids drink safe water and avoid dehydration?"
Do your kids have access to Safe and Clean Water?
Dehydration is not as simple as grabbing a glass of water; water quality is just as important to ensure you and your kids stay hydrated and healthy.
Water quality in particular regions is difficult to achieve and maintain. Certain factors contribute to the decline of poor-quality water. In addition, limited or no access to quality water can greatly affect the health of children and the people.
Some of the cases that could highly affect or are affecting the water supplies from being safe consumption are:
- Poor maintenance of city pipes is causing them to corrode and distribute unsanitary tap water.
- Bacteria, viruses, heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and other pollutants contaminate the water.
- No sufficient supply of water for proper allocation around the area.
Many more contributing factors enable the problem of water resource safety to continue. It is important to pay attention to your kids' drinking water to ensure their health.
Furthermore, all parents should focus on providing their kids safe access to drinkable water.
How can you make your Kids Drink More Water?
There are many ways to make your kids drink more water than they should. It is important to ensure that they are getting a sufficient amount of water a day to prevent dehydration and further health problems.
Be the Example
One perfect way to show your kids the importance of drinking water regularly is to set an example. Kids look up to their parents as role models.
Especially at a young age, their brains are like sponges, and they absorb everything that they hear or see, so it is likely that they will follow in your footsteps.
Show them that you discipline yourself to drink water from time to time. It can be an advantage if they can practice the proper timing of when to drink water as early as their age.
Drinking water at the right time can maximize the functions and potential of your body.
Here is a list explaining when water is necessary and most important.
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Drink a glass of water after waking up. This will activate your bodily organs and help clear the remaining toxins before you begin the day.
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Drink one glass of water before and after a meal. Drinking before your meal aids digestion and metabolism, and drinking another glass after a meal ensures that the body absorbs the nutrients.
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Drinking a glass of water before taking a bath is also necessary. Studies show that this can help lower blood pressure.
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Lastly, drink a glass of water an hour before bedtime to replace the water your body uses during the night.
Incorporate Creativity to Capture their Interest
Kids are playful, creative, and easily attracted to extraordinary things. For example, a mixture of colors, weird combinations of shapes and sizes, or uniquely looking objects. Hence, mixing cut fruits with water to make them drink is one of the best ways to capture their attention.
Mix tiny bits of different fruits, such as oranges, apples, watermelons, and others, with water to make naturally flavored water. The colors and shapes will attract your kids, and the fruits' vitamins and nutrients will make the water healthier.
Please provide them with a Sufficient Water Supply.
If there is water, and if that is the only available option for a thirst-quencher, kids are most likely to accept that option. It is not depriving them of other enjoyable fluids or beverages but limiting their intake of sugary drinks and increasing their water consumption.
Fill your fridge with mostly water or have a convenient water dispenser. Easy access to water can significantly increase the chances of kids drinking it. Kids will forget their thirst and continue their activities if water is too difficult to reach or find. Instead of having water available and accessible anytime and easy for them to reach, the regular will drink water.
Many factors can hinder your efforts to provide your kids with water and ensure they drink it. Nonetheless, always remember that it is better to ensure a healthy lifestyle than to regret the consequences.
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