Fifteen year trends in water intake in German children and adolescents: Results of the DONALD Study

Water intake was evaluated and time trends in water intake and beverage consumption were assessed on the basis of 3 d weighed dietary records (n = 3736) of 2-13-y-old males (n = 354) and females (n = 379) enrolled in the DONALD Study (Dortmund Nutritional and Anthropometric Longitudinally Designed Study, 1985-1999). Total water intake increased with age. from 1114 g d(-1) in the 2-3-y-olds to 1363 d(-1) in the 4-8-y-olds and further to 1801 g d(-1) (1676 a d(-1)) in the 9-13-y-old boys (girls); 33-38% came from food, 49-55% from beverages and 12-13% from oxidation. Total water intake per body weight decreased with age from 77.5 g kg(-1) (boys and girls) to 48.9 and 42.6 g kg(-1) in boys and girls, respectively. Milk (9-17%) and mineral water (12-15%) were the most important source of total water intake. In the 15 y period a significant increase in total water intake (+1.7 to +3.2 g MJ(-1) y(-1)) in all three ag groups irrespective of sex was found. The increase of total water intake was mainly due to an increase in beverage consumption (+0.32 to +0.47% y(-1)). This study offers a differentiated insight into water intake and patterns of beverage consumption in German children and adolescents. Conclusion: The comparison of these data with other surveys points to a low total water intake, especially a low tap water intake, in German children and adolescents and underlines cultural influences on food and drinking habits.