Is water out of vogue? A survey of the drinking habits of 2-7 year olds.

OBJECTIVE

To survey the drinking habits of young children with reference to the consumption of plain water, and to estimate the proportion of a child's recommended energy intake contributed by drinks.

DESIGN

A prospective survey.

SETTING

Health centres, mother and toddler groups, and infant schools in and around Southampton.

SUBJECTS

39 preschool and 66 infant schoolchildren.

INTERVENTIONS

Parents kept a diary of all drinks consumed by the child over 48 hours. Parents were interviewed with a questionnaire about the drinking habits of their child.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The type of drinks and volume of fluid consumed over 48 hours; the proportion of a child's recommended energy intake consumed through drinks.

RESULTS

72.5% of the preschool group and 50% of the infant school group never drank plain water. Squash was by far the most frequently consumed drink. 15% of the preschool group consumed just under 50% of their recommended daily energy intake in drinks.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children consume large quantities of squash which constitutes a substantial energy supply. It is possible that they are conditioned at an early age to the sweet taste of drinks that may be no nutritional benefit to them.