Daily Fluid Intake Behaviors and Associated Health Effects Among Australian and United States Populations

Abstract

Minimal data exist exploring intercontinental differences in fluid intake (FI) beliefs and behaviors and the impact on fluid intake practices (i.e., fluid intake volume, beverage type, and timing of fluid intake). Therefore, this study explored the impact that FI beliefs and behaviors had on FI practices among emerging adults living in the United States (USA) and Australia (AUS). A total of 489 individuals (74.5% female; USA, 79.4%; age, 25 ± 6 years completed a 23-item survey between November 2020 and June 2021). Participants detailed their FI practices. FI beliefs were evaluated to determine their contribution to FI behaviors across the day. Multinomial and multiple linear regression analyses explored the association of daily FI beliefs and behaviors across multiple domains. Independent sample t-tests and chi-square analyses were conducted to compare FI practices, beliefs, and behaviors between individuals in the USA and AUS. FI behaviors were significantly different between countries, with the USA more likely to consume fluids to meet a total target volume (β = 1.150, p = 0.036) and consume fluid at the same time as structured daily activities (β = 0.773, p = 0.046) compared to FI alongside food intake. However, there were no differences in the types of beverage consumed (juice, sugar-sweetened beverages, tea, and coffee), total fluid volume, and physical activity (PA) between countries (p > 0.05). Beverage consumption was higher among USA than AUS residents for water, beer, and wine (p < 0.05). Total fluid consumption was greater among males (3,189 ± 2,407 ml) than females (2,215 ± 1,132 ml; β = 3.61, p < 0.001), individuals who regularly consumed fluid during the day to meet a targeted volume (β = 1,728.5, p < 0.001), and those who regularly consumed fluid as a habitual behavior (β = 3.97, p < 0.001) compared to those individuals who only consumed fluid alongside mealtimes (β = 1,041.7, p < 0.001). FI behaviors differed between the USA and AUS; however, total volume consumed, type of beverage consumed, and FI beliefs were similar. FI practices and behaviors appear to be individualized and context-specific among the studied populations.

Do Mindful Eating and Intuitive Eating Affect Beverage Preferences? A Cross-Sectional Survey

“…The current study revealed that females consumed less SSBs, particularly sweetened tea and coffee, than males. Our results are consistent with those of previous population-based studies [ 49 , 50 ]. Another study reported that females consumed SSBs on most days or daily; however, additional details were not provided [ 51 ].…”

“…Total water intake can facilitate regular eating and ME. In a cross-cultural study, Sims et al reported that the mean daily water intake of Australians and Americans was 1796 and 1535 mL, respectively [ 49 ]. They noted that drinking 0.9 L of water daily affected all IE subscales, ED, and MF; however, no effects were observed on total ME.…”

Characterizing fluid intake and physical activity in university students within the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic

“…We also cannot discount the potential influence of our sample’s pre-pandemic fluid intake behaviors in that our sample may have been habitually under consuming fluids. However, our previous work disputes the low prevalence of college students meeting fluid intake recommendations [ 57 , 58 ]. In addition to females exhibiting a lower total fluid intake than males, our study also found that females consumed less total fluid, beer, hard liquor, coffee, energy drinks, milk, and soft drinks than their male counterparts.…”

Inadequate Hydration Status of Test Subjects Can Affect Bioavailability Studies

“…For example, 2% hypohydration is defined as a water deficit equal to 2% of body mass. Surprisingly, hypohydration prevalence is high among adolescent and other populations. ,,− ,− For instance, a high prevalence of hypohydration, measured by urine specific gravity level, was reported in summer and winter, 94% to 72%, respectively.…”

“…It is critical to know that hydration status differs from one person to another. There are many cases in which participants were not hydrated enough but were healthy otherwise. − , Hydration status, even in healthy people, is a function of daily fluid intake, , longitudinal hydration, daily activity, amount of coffee consumption, pretrial body mass index and degree of obesity, exercise, its severity and duration, weight loss and speed of weight loss or the degree of weight loss, amount and type of protein/meat consumption, and salt consumption behavior, just to mention a few. For instance, it has been shown that, while young adults with higher salt intake had higher total drinking fluids, total water intake, and water from food, counterintuitively, this group had inferior hydration status, suggesting that a reduction in salt intake among young adults helps to keep optimal hydration status …”