Association between water intake and body measurements; A cross sectional study in the students of a Pakistani Dental College

Association between water intake and body measurements; A cross sectional study in the students of a Pakistani Dental College

ASTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We are all aware of the role of water as an essential nutrient in human health. Life style Medicine researches have shown high prevalence of inadequate hydration habits globally. In this study, the relationship of water intake with anthropomorphic measurements in young adults of a particular geographical location was observed.

MATERIALS & METHODOLOGY: This cross sectional study was conducted on 250 undergraduate students of IIDC, RIU from Feb to May 2021. For the assessment of water intake an online questionnaire was filled whereas for the anthropomorphic measurements, Physiology & Biochemistry labs were utilized according to the recommendations of the International Standards for Anthropometric Assessment (ISAK). These included: BMI, WH ratio and Abdominal measurements taken from the level of belly button & 2 inches below and the difference measured . Differences in water consumption according to these 3 parameters were analyzed through one way ANOVA test and considered significant at p ≤ 0.05.

RESULTS: A total of 259 healthy volunteers with Mean±SD=19.587±1.2307 where 179 female(61.1%) & 80 males (27.3%) . Chi square correlation showed significant association of gender with all the variables (p<0.05). BMI for both genders fell into the normal range whereas WH ratio and abdominal measurement diff. was above the normal range in females pointing towards a central obesity tendency (android type). One way Anova for the comparison of various levels of water intake showed significant association with BMI only.

CONCLUSIONS: Significant association was found between water intake & BMI with large individuals requiring more water consumption as compared to individuals with smaller size. Therefore, a “tailored water prescription” that considers gender, age and BMI differences is required.