The association of the hydration status and parental knowledge on fluid consumption with children’s weight status in Malaysia

Hydration and obesity play an important role in body weight regulation. Objective: To determine the association of hydration status and parental knowledge on fluid intake with the children’s weight status in Muar, Johor, Malaysia. Method: A total of 207 children, 7-13 years of age, and their parents participated in this cross-sectional study. Parental fluid consumption knowledge questionnaire and beverage questionnaire were used to assess parent’s knowledge on fluid consumption and children’s fluid intake consumption, respectively. Body weight and height were measured and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Results: A total of 24.7% of the children were overweight. Majority (78.7%) of the children were insufficiently hydrated while 78.7% parents had poor fluid consumption knowledge. Parental fluid consumption knowledge was associated with children’s hydration status (χ2=47.788; p Conclusion: Parental fluid consumption knowledge was significantly associated with children’s hydration status. Hydration status was significantly associated with children’s BMI. Sri Lanka Journal of Child Health, 2017; 46: 222-229