Effects of Hydration Status on Cognitive Performance in Adolescents Aged 12-14

INTRODUCTION Energy metabolism is higher per kilogram body weight in children than in adults. 1 Children aged from 11 to 14 should consume at least 1.5 liters of water per day, according to EFSA advice (European Food Safety Authority) 2.

This amount of daily water is difficult to reach because young people usually do not recognize thirst and they often haven't got an easy access to water 3.

Scientific evidence proves that a soft dehydration, as a loss 1 % of body weight, can cause reduction of concentration and cognitive performance with consequences on memory and attention in children.4,5

An English systematic study about school policies on drinking water 4 compared three different contexts: schools in which water in the classroom was prohibited, schools that allowed limited access to water (for example, the water was allowed in the classroom, but not on the desk) and schools that had open access to water (for example, water was allowed in the classroom and bottles were kept at the desk). The results showed that the percentage of children who consumed less than the recommended daily amount of fluid was significantly higher in the schools that prohibited water consumption (81%) and in the schools that had limited access to water during the school day (80%). This percentage was considerably reduced in the schools where children had free access to water (46.5%). In Italian schools generally access to water is limited and water consumption is allowed only at lunch 7.

METHODS Study Design and participants