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Health See other Health Articles Title: Study: U.S. kids, teens don't drink enough water BOSTON, June 12 (UPI) -- More than half of all children and teens in the U.S. do not drink enough water, with boys 76 percent more likely than girls to be under-hydrated, according to a new study. While researchers note that American children are not dying for lack of water, mild dehydration can cause problems including headaches, irritability, poorer physical performance, and reduced cognitive functioning. "These findings are significant because they highlight a potential health issue that has not been given a whole lot of attention in the past," said Erica Kenney, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard University's T.H. Chan School of Public Health, in a press release. "Even though for most of these kids this is not an immediate, dramatic health threat, this is an issue that could really be reducing quality of life and well-being for many, many children and youth." Researchers reviewed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey collected between 2009 and 2012 from 4,000 children and adolescents aged 6 to 19. They found that 54.4 percent of children overall to be under-hydrated. Boys were 76 percent more likely than girls to be getting less than adequate fluids. Non-Hispanic black youths were 34 percent more likely to be under hydrated than non-Hispanic white youths. The data was based on all forms of water, Kenney told NPR. "That's total water," she said, adding "so that can be from any beverages, and any water that's in your food like soups, juicy fruits and vegetables." The study found that an increase of one 8-ounce glass of water would be sufficient to significantly lower children's risk for dehydration. "The good news is that this is a public health problem with a simple solution," said Steven Gortmaker, a professor of health sociology at the Chan School. The study is published in the American Journal of Public Health. Related UPI Stories First penis transplant recipient impregnates girlfriend Mini breasts grown in petri dishes for cancer research Milk proteins may protect against cardiovascular diseas Post Comment Private Reply Ignore Thread
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