Consumption of Beverage among Secondary and Intermediate Students in Riyadh Schools, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Water is essential for body hydration to maintain human mental and physical function. However, hot and humid weather, in addition to physical activity, can further increase fluid loss. We aimed to evaluate beverage consumption among school children aged 12-18 years in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online self-administered questionnaire among intermediate and secondary school students. A random stratification technique was used to recruit schools followed by a non-random sampling technique of children’s parents to recruit the adolescents 12-18 years. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the participants’ characteristics and beverage consumption. RESULTS: A total of 1548 children have completed the questionnaire with a mean age of (15.69±1.68) years. The majority (65.2%) were females. The daily mean total beverage consumption was (1918.88±796.01) ml/day for females and (2238.53±879.96) ml/day for males (p=<0.001). For children aged (14-18) years, beverage consumption was (2052.41±842.01) ml/day, and (1881.33±811.38) ml/day for children aged (12-13) years (p=0.007). The highest consumed beverage for females and males was water (1124.94±548.36) ml/day and (1209.59±534.31) ml/day, respectively (p=0.004). Children aged (14-18) years consumed higher coffee (206.84±234.29) ml/day compared to those aged (12-13) years (78.68±140.71) ml/day (p<0.001). Girls were drinking coffee (208.71±236.60) ml/day more than boys (158.36±206.54) ml/day (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Water was the most significant contributor to fluid consumption in all age groups; however, daily beverage consumption was lower than the World Health Organization recommendation. The largest proportion of adolescents is at risk of inadequate hydration.