How Hillary Clinton’s Dehydration Can Be A Teaching Moment For Kids About Health and Nutrition: “Drink Plenty of Water”

After video surfaced of Hillary Clinton stumbling to get into a van helped by secret service agents on Sunday at a 9/11 memorial ceremony in New York. Her campaign was forced to go public and to the media about her pneumonia diagnosis 2 days before which explained her dizzy and near faint spells due to dehydration.

According to the Medical Daily 75% American May Suffer from chronic dehydration, according to doctors. The article goes on to say that “Americans fall short of the 10 daily cups prescribed by the Institute of Medicine – which, in medical terms, means that most people in the U.S are functioning in a chronic state of dehydration.”

And for kids The Institute of Medicine says “children and teenagers should consume about two to three quarts of water a day (1.7 to 3.3 liters, the IOM says), depending on age, size, and sex.” Most researchers point out that these statistics are extremely troublesome because dehydration can have a significant impact on children’s mental as well as physical health. “There’s plenty of research that suggest even a slight level of dehydration is enough to impact kids mood and cognitive functioning” lead study author Erica Kenny, a postdoctoral research fellow in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Harvard’s Chan School, told CBS News.

This leads us back to “How Hillary Clinton’s Dehydration Can Be A Teaching Moment For Kids About Health and Nutrition:”Drink Plenty of Water.” It’s been rumored and reported by Politico that there has been tension between her and her staff that “she won’t drink water.” And as a parent, how many times have you heard that before!!! So if you’re a parent of a child or a staff member of a presidential candidate who won’t drink water. Listed below are some facts and tips I found at childalert you can share and help persuade them to “Drink Plenty of Water”, good luck! [icon icon=icon-smile size=14px color=#000 ]

• The skin is the largest human organ and is made up of 70% water, so water absorption is critical
• A child needs about 6-8 glasses of water a day  but more in hot weather and when active
• Every cell in the body needs water keep it working efficiently. Humans can survive for a number of weeks without food  but cannot go without water for more than a few days so make sure kids drink plenty of water
• Children tend to be more active than adults, therefore they need proportionally more water
• Children grow at a faster pace in the summer versus the winter adding to their hydration needs which will be greater  in hotter temperatures
• Children do not always recognize when they are thirsty, may not be bothered, may not have access to fluids or simply don’t like what is on offer!
• The times when kids are active and/or simply too distracted to think about drinking is often when they are most at risk of dehydration. This is when offering them drinks they enjoy will be the solution
• Mild dehydration – about 2% loss in bodyweight, can in the short term cause a lack of concentration, headaches and reduced medical and physical performance. Physical symptoms of this would be less urination and a dark colored urine. In the longer term mild dehydration can lead to dry skin; irritability; and constipation
• Although an excellent form of hydration, water can sometimes satisfy their thirst before they are actually properly hydrated where assquash and juice are absorbed more slowly so they will drink more.
• We will voluntarily drink more if drinks are readily available and if we enjoy what we are drinking, evidence for this is particularly strong for kids
• Sometimes we eat when really our body needs fluid this include kids
• If we increase the fiber content of the diet we must also increase our fluid intake – to avoid constipation

And while kids fall short, dehydration is an easy problem to solve. Listed below are a few ideas to get your kid to drink more water. Unfortunately, I don’t think these will work for most adults or Presidential candidates.

1. Be a role model.

One of the most effective ways to make a change in your child’s behavior is if you make the change in your own behavior. If you demonstrate a love for water then so will your child.

2. Place a slice of lime, lemon or any fruit for that matter

Placing a slice of lime, lemon or fruit in a cup of water gives it a slight taste that kids may enjoy. You can also try adding frozen fruit to make it fun and interesting.

3. Give them a reward

Reward them with juice, a smoothie or a fruit after they finish their water.

4. Make it fun and create a game out of drinking water 

Create a game with your kid to drink the water to a certain level of the cup and/or who can drink the most from their cup and then give them a reward afterward.

5. Buy them a favorite fun cup.

Buy them a favorite or special cup and then only let them use that cup when they drink water. Always leave the special cup of water where your child can reach it and have it on hand whenever you are out and about.

6. Have plenty of water around the house

Always have water available around the house for your kids – and on trips, vacation, sports activities, at the playground, everywhere.

7. Buy a silly straw that they can use when drinking water

I remember having silly straws when I was a kid and I loved using them when I drank my favorite drinks. You can bring the same excitement to drinking water for your child.

8. Freeze some cool shapes.

There are plenty of fun options out there — everything from mustaches to sparkly jewels to Hello Kitty.

9.  Be Persistent – Kids like adults are creatures of habit, if you get them into the habit of drinking water, eventually they’ll get into the habit of drinking water regularly. It’ll just take some time so be patient.