Water Intake in a Sample of Greek Adults Evaluated with the Water Balance Questionnaire (WBQ) and a Seven-Day Diary

Abstract

Awareness on the importance of hydration in health has created an unequivocal need to enrich knowledge on water intake of the general population and on the contribution of beverages to total water intake. We evaluated in the past water intake in a sample of Greek adults using two approaches. In study A, volunteers completed the Water Balance Questionnaire (WBQ), a food frequency questionnaire, designed to evaluate water intake (n = 1092; 48.1% males; 43 ± 18 years). In study B, a different population of volunteers recorded water, beverage, and food intake in seven-day diaries (n = 178; 51.1% males; 37 ± 12 years). Herein, data were reanalyzed with the objective to reveal the contribution of beverages in total water intake with these different methodologies. Beverage recording was grouped in the following categories: Hot beverages; milk; fruit and vegetable juices; caloric soft drinks; diet soft drinks; alcoholic drinks; other beverages; and water. Total water intake and water intake from beverages was 3254 (SE 43) mL/day and 2551 (SE 39) mL/day in study A; and 2349 (SE 59) mL/day and 1832 (SE 56) mL/day in study B. In both studies water had the highest contribution to total water intake, approximately 50% of total water intake, followed by hot beverages (10% of total water intake) and milk (5% of total water intake). These two approaches contribute information on water intake in Greece and highlight the contribution of different beverages; moreover, they point out differences in results obtained from different methodologies attributed to limitations in their use.

Development and relative validity of a self‐administered semi‐quantitative drinks frequency questionnaire, validated in a population of university students

“…In Greece, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has reached high levels and the need for frequent monitoring has been highlighted . Drinks contribute to a quarter of the energy intake of Greeks . Moreover, drinks may be important sources of other substances in need for periodically safety assessment (e.g.…”

“…27 Drinks contribute to a quarter of the energy intake of Greeks. 28 Moreover, drinks may be important sources of other substances in need for periodically safety assessment (e.g. ingredients of energy drinks, additives used in soft drinks, etc.).…”

Water turnover among human populations: Effects of environment and lifestyle

“…There are two general approaches for measuring 24‐hours water turnover in human populations. The most common method is 24‐hour dietary recall surveys or interviews, in which the subject lists the types and quantities of food and beverage consumed over the recall period (Athanasatou, Malisova, Kandyliari, & Kapsokefalou, ; Berti & Leonard, ; Kant, Graubard, & Atchison, ; Laksmi et al, ; Manz et al, ; Rosinger & Tanner, ; Tani et al, ; Wutich, Rosinger, Stoler, Jepson, & Brewis, ). Several instruments are available for this purpose.…”

“…Measures for the Shuar (Christopher et al, ), Aymara (Kashiwazaki et al, ), Kenya (Keino et al, ), US † (Raman et al, ), and France (Blanc et al, ) were calculated using the deuterium depletion method. Tsimane (Rosinger & Tanner, ), Mestizo (Berti & Leonard, ), Indonesia (Laksmi et al, ), Greece (Athanasatou et al, ), Japan (Tani et al, ), Germany (Manz et al, ), and US ‡ (Kant et al, ) data were collected via nutritional survey. Error bars indicate ±1 SD…”

“…Water turnover in both populations is likely influenced by environmental variables and physical activity, but the high turnovers evident in the Shuar clearly reflect the consumption of large quantities of chicha, a traditional fermented beverage made from manioc (Christopher et al, ). Indeed, cultural dietary differences can affect not only the amount of water intake, but also the proportion of water intake from different beverages and foods (Athanasatou et al, ; Morin et al, ; Tani et al, ). For example, Morin et al () found considerable differences between countries (Argentina, Brazil, China, Indonesia, Mexico, and Uruguay) in both the volume of fluid intake and the proportions from sugar‐sweetened beverages, dairy, and water among children and adolescents.…”