Khan N A, Raine L B, Drollette E S, Scudder M R, Cohen N J, Kramer A F, Hillman C H
Kinesiology and Community Health, University of Illinois, Urbana, Ill., USA.
Ann Nutr Metab. 2015;66 Suppl 3:38-41. doi: 10.1159/000381245. Epub 2015 Jun 18.
Cognitive control (also known as executive function) encompasses mental processes that underlie goal-directed behavior, and it enables us to adjust our behavior according to changing environmental demands. Previous research among children has demonstrated that aerobic fitness and obesity have contrasting and selective effects on cognitive control. However, the relationship between water intake and childhood cognitive control remains inadequately studied. This study investigated the relationship between total water intake and cognitive control among prepubertal children (8-9-year olds).
Children between 8 and 9 years of age (n = 63) performed a modified flanker task to assess cognitive control related to inhibition (ability to resist distractions and maintain focus). Diet was measured using 3-day food records. Total water was defined as water consumed from drinking water, beverages, and food.
A comparison of task performance across the median intake of total water revealed that children above the median exhibited shorter reaction times across multiple conditions of the flanker task, requiring variable amounts of cognitive control. Further, after adjustment of age, IQ, socioeconomic status, weight status, and aerobic fitness level, the proportion of intake comprised of water (%TW) was negatively correlated with reaction time interference, that is, the ability to maintain task performance when task conditions demanded greater inhibition.
These results indicate an association between water intake and cognitive control using a task that modulates inhibition. Specifically, higher water intake correlated with greater ability to maintain task performance when inhibitory demands are increased. Future work is needed to determine the mechanism by which water influences cognitive control among children.
认知控制（也称为执行功能）包含构成目标导向行为基础的心理过程，它使我们能够根据不断变化的环境需求调整行为。先前针对儿童的研究表明，有氧适能和肥胖对认知控制有不同的选择性影响。然而，水分摄入与儿童认知控制之间的关系仍未得到充分研究。本研究调查了青春期前儿童（8 - 9岁）的总水分摄入量与认知控制之间的关系。
8至9岁的儿童（n = 63）进行了一项改良的侧翼任务，以评估与抑制相关的认知控制（抵抗干扰并保持专注的能力）。饮食通过3天的食物记录进行测量。总水分定义为从饮用水、饮料和食物中摄入的水分。
对总水分摄入量中位数上下的任务表现进行比较发现，高于中位数的儿童在侧翼任务的多种条件下反应时间更短，这些条件需要不同程度的认知控制。此外，在调整了年龄、智商、社会经济地位、体重状况和有氧适能水平后，水分摄入量占比（%TW）与反应时间干扰呈负相关，即当任务条件需要更大抑制时保持任务表现的能力。
这些结果表明，在使用调节抑制的任务时，水分摄入与认知控制之间存在关联。具体而言，当抑制需求增加时，较高的水分摄入量与更强的保持任务表现的能力相关。未来需要开展工作来确定水分影响儿童认知控制的机制。
