Water babies – Why Water Is Good For Kids

The health benefits to children of drinking enough water during the day go much further than skin deep – The UK’s leading water cooler supplier, Pressure Coolers explains…

[ClickPress, Fri Jul 27 2007] Children need to know of the importance of staying hydrated and teaching them to drink plenty of water at a young age is the best way to go about it. Children are more vulnerable to dehydration than adults, although many adults are unaware of this. Primarily, the surface area to body mass ratio of a child is much higher than that of an adult, so during hot weather they lose water through evaporation far more quickly than an adult. Also, a child’s kidney function is less well developed than an adult’s, and children do not have a very sensitive thirst response so drinking water is an especially good habit to pick up.

In the UK, nearly a quarter of boys and nearly a third of girls are classified as overweight or obese. It is thought that a common cause of this could be insufficient access to water during the day and a preference for sugary drinks, which are packed with calories.

Amongst those who do not drink enough at all, research suggests that due to this mild dehydration, the body will then actively prefer a high fat diet. When fat is broken down by the body, it produces more metabolic water than other nutrients. Although fat should be an integral part of every diet, eating too much of it can lead to obesity and other health problems. So, drinking water is not only a good way to substitute calorific drinks, but it also means that kids won’t come home craving chips if they have had enough water to drink during the day.

Other symptoms of dehydration in children can include dizziness, headaches and tiredness. One benefit of drinking water, especially during school hours, is an increased ability to concentrate for longer periods of time. Drinking plenty of water also prevents unpleasant problems such as urinary tract infections and constipation, which children can be prone to.

If a child is dehydrated, he or she is also likely to feel very tired – too tired to play games or take any exercise. This is extremely detrimental to a child’s health, and an unwillingness to run around playing games with others can even affect their social development. To avoid this situation, children should be encouraged to drink pure, cool water during the day, for refreshment, stimulation and increased concentration.

There are many ways in which parents can encourage their children to drink more water; giving them a water bottle in their lunch box is a start. Clearly explaining the benefits of drinking sufficient water to adolescents can stimulate them to think independently about their own water intake and how healthily they eat. Installing water dispensers in schools is one way in which schools can help to tackle concentration problems in children. At home, parents can lead by example, taking water from a cooler, and by including water in their diet, such as making soups and eating plenty of vegetables which have a high water content.

Pressure Coolers is a specialist supplier of mains connected water coolers and drinking fountains for use in schools and homes around the country. Pressure Coolers are able to offer water coolers for rental or sale, together with all the necessary filters and accessories. For more information, visit http://www.pressurecoolers.co.uk

About Pressure Coolers

Pressure Coolers specialises in mains connected water coolers and drinking fountains. As a founder member of the EPDWA, the company is subject to an annual independent audit of all company procedures including an inspection of premises and verification of our standards of customer care.

Pressure Coolers services a wide range of users, including hospitals, prisons, farms and beauty salons. Staff members are all fully trained in accordance with the EPDWA industry association standards.

Please direct all media queries, requests for press information and editorial details, to Caroline Thomas. Tel: 0800 040 9192 or email: marketing@topposition.co.uk

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