Low Water Intake Among Iranian Students

Iranian students consume 90% less water than their peers globally, says a report by the Damavand Mineral Water Company based in Amol city, Mazandaran Province.

According to the report, students at all educational levels have a water intake 90% less than the global average per capita per day when assessed based on the standards set by the World Health Organization.

The report is the result of a study done by DMWC and the National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute of Iran. As per the study, students aged 8-17 consume only 10% of the water they should actually consume to stay healthy and thwart potential health threats.

While the average water intake among boys aged 8-13 was 1,400 milliliters, and girls 1,200 milliliters per day, the benchmarks set by the WHO is 2,400 milliliters daily.

The deficit in water intake drops to 100% in boys aged 14-17 and 90% among girls in the same age group according to the study, said a press release from the DMWC on their website.

Water is the most essential nutrient of life, but its importance is overlooked and even in nutrition, it has been largely disregarded. As an essential nutrient for all body tissues, it is the largest single component of the body. The volume, composition, and distribution of body fluids have profound effects on cell function.

As a solvent, water and other fluids make many solutes available for cell function. Water is also essential for the physiologic processes of digestion, absorption, and excretion. Whole-body thermoregulation is critically dependent on water. The body has no provision for water storage; therefore, the amount of water lost every 24 hours must be replenished to maintain health and body efficiency.

Insufficient and inappropriate daily fluid intake in a long period has adverse effect on health.  Given the changing patterns of fluid intake, with sodas, sugary and fizzy drinks replacing water in restaurants, school cafes, and even homes across Iran, the findings only highlight the necessity of prioritizing the issue in schools as well as making it a top priority on the agenda of national health and nutrition decision-makers.

  Urgent Need for Intervention

The study reiterates that there is urgent need for intervention targeting young adults to improve their beverage choices as they are susceptible to unhealthy nutritional diets which can put them at risk of chronic diseases later in life.

Various studies globally have indicated that beverage consumption habits formed during young adulthood may have a strong impact on beverage choices in later life.

In addition, the type of fluid consumed by individuals should also receive attention. The required water of body could be supplied with various beverages including water, milk, tea, fruit juices, coffee, and soft drinks. However, regarding their nutritional value and their effect on health, it is necessary to have a healthy drinking pattern during life cycle.

Founded by Perrier Group from France in 1973, Damavand Mineral Waters Company is the largest bottled mineral water producer in Iran. It is a joint venture with Danone Group which ranks second in bottled water worldwide.