http://www.care2.com/greenliving/obesity-risk-reduced-with-water-fountains-in-schools.html
Obesity Risk Reduced With Water Fountains in Schools
By Derek Markham, Eco Child’s Play
The one year study, published in Pediatrics, weighed 2nd and 3rd graders in socially deprived areas and interviewed them about their water consumption. In schools in the intervention group, water fountains were added and four lessons were presented to the kids about the health benefits of water consumption. Water flow from the fountains was also measured.
Before the study period, there was no statistical difference between the two groups in the prevalence of overweight kids. At the end of the year, after adjusting for the baseline prevalence of being overweight, the authors found a 31% decrease in the risk of obesity in the intervention group.
After the study, researchers found that water consumption in the intervention group had increased by over 7 ounces per child per school day, and the fountains were in steady use throughout the year. No mention was made about food consumption during the period, although no effect was found on soft drink and juice consumption in the intervention group.
While not a magic bullet for keeping kids in a healthy weight range, the study was a positive example of how small changes in daily routine can have a lasting impact on children’s health.
Green Options Media is a network of environmentally-focused blogs providing users with the information needed to make sustainable choices. Written by experienced professionals, Green Options Media’s blogs engage visitors with authoritative content, compelling discussions, and actionable advice. We invite anyone with questions, or simply curiosity, to add their voices to the community, and share their approaches to achieving abundance.
More from Veronica, selected from Green Options (21 articles available)
related stories
-
(6 comments)
-
(5 comments)
-
(4 comments)
Robyn
Melissa
Deepak
Eric
Dave
Dr. Brent
Isha
Susan
Delia
Michelle
Wendy
Megan
Hilary
Ann
Judi
Ronnie
Kelly
Lily
Terri
Betsy
Cait
Andrew
Jana
Annie B.
Veronica
10 comments
add your comment »thankyou...
Kabin
Konteyner
mega kabin
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Diets and diet aids do not help anyone. The only way to lose weight and get the body that you want is by using the right information. This information can be found in the book Lose Weight Using Four Easy Steps which can be ordered through the website www.bbotw.com Everyone who has gotten a copy of this book is now healthier.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
(continued)
although you have a VERY good point about how easy it would be to purposefully contaminate a water fountain. I believe the water fountains in schools should be cleaned regularly, thus hopefully avoiding contamination. And if we let kids bring water bottles to school, this discussion REALLY wouldn't be necessary, because they'd each only get their own germs.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
cecily,
believe it or not, those public drinking fountains are not as germy as you may think. Doorknobs have way more germs. So anytime you open a door and then put your hands near your eyes, nose, or mouth, you are in more danger than if you drank from a public fountain. On the other hand, some people don't understand how to use a water fountain. You don't touch your mouth to the fountain in any way. You are supposed to drink from the water at the top of its arch, which should avoid giving/receiving germs. All school children should be taught how to use a water fountain properly. Then we wouldn't need to worry about the germ factor.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
One problem with public water fountains--even those in schools--is potential contagion. I'm not talking about contagion in the system but I've seen people spit in them, and it would not take much originality to add drugs and other contaminants.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Lori, get a faucet filter and stop listening to this crap about unsafe tap water. We have the best tap water in the world in the US. The filter will make it taste better. Do not buy bottled water; buy a reusable water bottle in steel or ceramic: SIGG makes good ones.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I hear about tap water and contaminates all the time. Can anyone recommend what i need to have the kids drinking? Bottled water is not safe either. I want to know where I can get the best non contaminated water for my family. thaks!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
I hear about tap water and contaminates all the time. Can anyone recommend what i need to have the kids drinking? Bottled water is not safe either. I want to know where I can get the best non contaminated water for my family. thaks!
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
In a previous article about needing a "quick pick-me-up" in the mid afternoon at work, it was also mentioned that water helps, rather than the sugary snack we are used to grabbing.
I think it's pretty much a safe bet that we, as a society, need to ingest more water for better health. I know there can be dangers of having too much water and that certain health conditions contribute to too much water in the system.
There are exceptions to every rule.
Fluoride occurs in water naturally. When water is treated at water plants the fluoride is removed. After processing, fluoride is added again, but only in minute amounts (less than it occurs naturally) that are beneficial to humans.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Sure, we all need to drink more water...but it needs to be pure or filtered water, not tap water full of fluoride, chlorine and disinfection byproducts such as Trihalomethane...
It's great these kids lost weight but the only way they will really be healthier is with cutting out the other junk in their diets, like the soda mentioned in the article. And, undoubtedly, the juices offered are likely from the soft drink companies and are loaded with HFCS and or sugar.
The water thing is a "band-aid", sure it's a start but only that.
send green star | flag as inappropriate
why is this inappropriate?
Facebook account: