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Plain water consumption varies

Getting enough water every day is important for health. Drinking water can prevent dehydration, which may cause unclear thinking, mood change, overheating, constipation, and kidney stones.

Plain water consumption varies by age, race/ethnicity, and socioeconomic status.

During 2015–2018, US children and adolescents drank an average of 23 ounces of plain water daily. US adults drank an average of 44 ounces.

Among US children and adolescents, plain water intake was significantly lower in:

• Younger children.
• Non-Hispanic Black children or Hispanic children, compared to non-Hispanic White children.
• Youth in households with lower incomes.
• Youth whose head of household had less than a high school education.
• Those with underweight or normal weight, compared to those with obesity (Table 1).

Among US adults, plain water intake was significantly lower in:

• Older adults.
• Non-Hispanic Black adults, compared to non-Hispanic White adults.
• Adults with lower income and less education.
• Adults without obesity (Table 2).

Children and adolescents

Table 1. Mean daily plain water^a intakes among US children and adolescents 2 to 19, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018^b

^* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).^a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.^b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.^c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2) from measured weight and height data: underweight/healthy weight (BMI <85th percentile), overweight (BMI 85th to 95th percentile), obesity (BMI ≥95th percentile), in relation to the 2000 obÌåÓý growth charts age- and sex-specific percentiles.

Adults

Table 2. Mean daily plain water^a intakes among US adults 20 and older, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018^b

GED: General Educational Development.^* Significantly different from the reference group (P <0.05).^a Plain water included plain tap water, water from a drinking fountain, water from a water cooler, bottled water, and spring water.^b Data were from a single 24-hour dietary recall and estimates were weighed.^c Weight status was based on calculated body mass index (BMI) (kg/m2): underweight/healthy weight, BMI <25; overweight, BMI 25 to <30; obesity, BMI ≥30.

Tools

obÌåÓý toolkits for early care and education settings and schools

• Increasing Access to Drinking Water and Other Healthier Beverages in Early Care and Education Settings
• Increasing Access to Drinking Water in Schools
• Water Access in Schools Microlearning Modules - a guide for schools to help students drink more water during the day.

Drinking Water Work Group focuses on policies and economic issues regarding free and safe drinking water access.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Resources

Related pages

• About Water and Healthier Drinks
• Be Smart About Sugar
• Rethink Your Drink
• Foods and Drinks for 6 to 24 Month Olds
  

Related peer-reviewed publications with obÌåÓý authors, 2012 - 2022.

Youth

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Dietary and physical activity behaviors among high school students – Youth Risk Behavior Survey, United States, 2019.

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Student-reported school drinking fountain availability by youth characteristics and state plumbing codes.

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Adults

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Behaviors and attitudes associated with low drinking water intake among U.S. adults, Food Attitudes and Behaviors Survey, 2007.