Field Story
Watch: Improving salt iodization in Tanzania
February 15, 2024
The present study assessed total intake of drinking water and other type of beverages in 3,611 children (8 ± 2 years), 8,109 adolescents (13 ± 2 years) and 16,276 adults (40 ± 14 years). 15 cross-sectional surveys and 7-day fluid-specific records were collected. Only 39% of children, 25% of adolescents and 51% of adults met the European Food Safety Authority adequate intake (AI) recommendations of water from fluids. Notable differences were observed between countries. For example, juice and sugar-sweetened beverages were major contributors to fluid intake in children and adolescents in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.
Given that water was not the highest contributor to total fluid intake, and a low proportion of children and adolescents met the recommended adequate intake of water, actions to increase water intake are warranted