Encouraging Consumption of Water in School and Child Care Settings: Access, Challenges, and Strategies for Improvement

Abstract

Children and adolescents are not consuming enough water, instead opting for sugar-sweetened beverages (sodas, sports and energy drinks, milks, coffees, and fruit-flavored drinks with added sugars), 100% fruit juice, and other beverages. Drinking sufficient amounts of water can lead to improved weight status, reduced dental caries, and improved cognition among children and adolescents. Because children spend most of their day at school and in child care, ensuring that safe, potable drinking water is available in these settings is a fundamental public health measure. We sought to identify challenges that limit access to drinking water; opportunities, including promising practices, to increase drinking water availability and consumption; and future research, policy efforts, and funding needed in this area.

Limited School Drinking Water Access for Youth

“…Access varies by region and by the sociodemographic makeup of the student body, 18 and providing adequate access to safe water can be challenging for schools with older infrastructure or limited access to safe tap water sources. 19, 22–23 Although a recent, nationally representative survey of U.S. public schools found that most public school students (over 86%) attend schools that meet the HHFKA requirement for providing free water during lunch, 24 this survey relied on reports from school principals, the validity of which are unclear. In order to assess whether public health action is needed to improve water access in schools and thus reduce the potential negative health impacts of inadequate water intake and hydration, there is a need for objectively measured data about the adequacy of water access in schools.…”

Increasing Water Intake of Children and Parents in the Family Setting: A Randomized, Controlled Intervention Using Installation Theory

“…Interventions targeting children's fluid intake frequently focus on the school environment [1,6,7,8]. However, there is evidence that home environment significantly influences eating patterns in young children [9].…”

Grab a Cup, Fill It Up! An Intervention to Promote the Convenience of Drinking Water and Increase Student Water Consumption During School Lunch

“…Drinking water access may be compromised in schools with older infrastructure 23 or municipal water safety issues. 24 Although schools may opt to provide bottled instead of tap water, this is a less sustainable solution because of the higher costs 25 and the labor required for its distribution 23 ; improving tap water access is therefore an important goal. However, even when students have access to free tap water, they may not drink it 26 ; students often perceive tap water as unsafe or unpalatable 27,28 despite tougher safety standards than bottled water.…”

“…However, even when students have access to free tap water, they may not drink it 26 ; students often perceive tap water as unsafe or unpalatable 27,28 despite tougher safety standards than bottled water. 25 Improving drinking water access and increasing appeal are essential goals.…”