The effects of the provision of mineral water in schools on pupils’ beverage consumption
- 15.06.2014
- English Articles
- Petra Lührmann
- Faith Simpson
- Svenja Sickinger
- Tanja Fuchs
- Birte Dohnke
Peer-reviewed | Manuscript received: October 9, 2013 | Revision accepted: March 3, 2014
Introduction
Adequate fluid intake and sufficient hydration status is associated with positive effects on cognitive performance and mood amongst school children [1]. The German Nutrition Society (DGE) recommends that children drink 1000 to 1500 mL per day - depending on their age [2].
Beverages considered particularly suitable to fulfil a person’s fluid requirement are non-sweetened drinks, for instance mineral and tap water, as well as herbal and fruit teas. Drinks containing sugar i. e. soft-drinks, fruit juices and fruit nectar should only be sparingly consumed and are not recommended as daily beverages [3].
Summary
The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of mineral water provision within the classroom on pupils’ beverage consumption. A controlled intervention study was conducted with 232 secondary school pupils from two types of schools: Hauptschule and Gymnasium. The mineral water provided was consumed in both types of school involved and furthermore had positive effects on the pupils’ mineral water consumption. However the effects were stronger in the Hauptschule than in the Gymnasium. Mineral water provision in the Hauptschule led to an improvement in pupils’ overall beverage intake at school. Further positive effects were found on drinking quality (percentage of water in the overall beverage intake). No intervention effect on the consumption of sugar-containing beverages was found. Regular mineral water provision within the classroom can be considered as an appropriate setting-based health promotional intervention on the environmental level, particularly in the Hauptschule. However, it becomes apparent when implementing mineral water provision in this setting, structural aspects should be taken into further consideration.
Keywords: mineral water, beverage consumption, intervention study, school, health promotion, children and adolescents
